Man who died after fall from roof, struggle with police is identified

Police say Steven Juarez, 42, acted violently toward them when they tried to arrest him, so they used a stun gun and a carotid restraint

GILROY » Police have identified themanwho died Sunday night after falling off a roof and struggling with officers as Steven Juarez, 42, of Gilroy.

Just before 10 p.m., officers with the Gilroy Police Department responded to a report of a suspicious person in the backyard of a home on the 7400 block of Chestnut Street. The suspect, later identified as Juarez, ran from officers, reportedly ignoring their commands to surrender. Juarez eventually made his way onto the roofs of at least two nearby homes, according to police.

Before they made physical contact with Juarez, officers noticed he appeared to have been bleeding fromhis face, and a witness reported hearing a noise consistent with a fall, police said.

When officers found Juarez on the ground they tried to take him into custody. But he acted violently, resisted their efforts and made threatening statements, according to police.

Officers used a stun gun and a carotid restraint to subdue him, police said. A carotid restraint is similar in appearance to a chokehold but targets a person’s neck artery instead of their airway. California state law prohibits police officers from using chokeholds.

During the struggle, officers noticed Juarez was in medical distress and began life-saving efforts, according to police. Personnel with the Gilroy Fire Department took over and transported Juarez to a trauma center, where he was pronounced dead.

The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner- Coroner’s Office is conducting an independent investigation to determine a cause of death, according to police. And, as is standard in such cases, county prosecutors and police are jointly investigating the case.

Anyone with information can contact the Gilroy Police Department’s Investigations Unit at 408-846- 0350.