A violent crime spree ended in a deadly officer-involved shooting after a suspect in a Menifee homicide led police on a high-speed pursuit that ended at the Newport Beach Pier.
Homicide in Menifee
The incident began in the early hours of Saturday, February 1, 2025, when Menifee Police Department officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 25000 block of Mesa Edge Court.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the deceased body of 38-year-old Storm Wolf of Temecula, who appeared to be the victim of a homicide.
Investigators quickly identified the primary suspect as 45-year-old Jose Velasquez, a Menifee resident and acquaintance of Wolf.
Velasquez fled the scene before law enforcement arrived, sparking a regional manhunt.
Multi-Agency Effort to Locate Velasquez
Menifee, CA🚔
Shots fired call💥
•Officers found the body of a 38 y.o. female homicide victim.
•The suspect was quickly identified & fled from police onto the Newport Beach Pier.
•Suspect stopped & challenged police w/ a 🔫 – which predictably resulted in a Fatal OIS. pic.twitter.com/GQc21KhiDP
— police.law.news (@policelawnews) March 11, 2025
Following leads, authorities determined that Velasquez had traveled to Santa Ana. Menifee police contacted the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) for assistance in locating the suspect and his vehicle.
Officers tracked Velasquez’s cell phone, pinpointing his location near the 1400 block of North Freeman Street in Santa Ana.
Upon locating Velasquez inside his vehicle, SAPD officers attempted an arrest, prompting the suspect to flee, initiating a high-speed chase through multiple cities in Orange County.
Pursuit Ends in Officer-Involved Shooting
Velasquez’s reckless flight from law enforcement ultimately led him to the Newport Beach Pier, a location where vehicles are not permitted. Officers cornered him at the end of the pier, where the situation escalated.
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SAPD officers, aware that Velasquez was armed with the firearm used in the Menifee homicide, took tactical positions.
Body-worn camera footage and aerial video from an Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter captured the tense moments as Velasquez ignored officers’ commands.
In a matter of seconds, shots were fired. Velasquez was struck multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene.
Weapon Recovered and Investigations Underway
After securing the scene, officers recovered a Glock Model 17 9mm handgun, believed to be the weapon used in Wolf’s killing.
Authorities confirmed that Velasquez had a criminal history, including arrests for DUI, driving on a suspended license, and brandishing a firearm in a threatening manner.
Per protocol, three separate investigations are now underway:
- The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the officer-involved shooting for potential criminal conduct by law enforcement.
- SAPD’s Internal Affairs Division is conducting a review to determine whether the officers followed departmental policies.
- Newport Beach’s Homicide Unit is investigating Velasquez’s actions and potential connections to other crimes.
Final Thoughts: Police Shooting on Newport Beach Pier
As investigations continue, the evidence will determine whether officers acted within policy. But the swift response of multiple agencies ensured that a dangerous suspect was stopped before he could harm anyone else.
For those interested, the full critical incident briefing video from the Santa Ana Police Department, including body-worn camera footage, is available for review (see video embedded above).
What are your thoughts on this officer-involved shooting? Was there any way to resolve this situation differently?
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