San Jose police revealed new details Thursday about a deadly shootout involving a suspect who had carried out a multi-day crime spree across the region. The incidents included multiple armed robberies, carjackings, and confrontations with law enforcement.
Police Chief Paul Joseph identified the suspect as 30-year-old Mohamed Husein of Davis. The crime spree began on January 17, when Husein stole a red Chevrolet Corvette from a Sacramento dealership. That same day, he committed an armed robbery outside San Jose and a second at a liquor store on McKee Road.
The following day, Husein carried out two more robberies, including one on the Peninsula and another on Coleman Road in San Jose.
On January 21, a stolen green Chevrolet Corvette was spotted by police using an automatic license plate reader. Officers briefly pursued the vehicle but lost track before it was later found unoccupied.
Around 2 p.m., Husein committed a carjacking at a dealership on Capitol Expressway, brandishing a firearm and stealing another Corvette. A San Jose Police helicopter followed the vehicle as it traveled over 40 miles to Hollister in San Benito County. Deputies there engaged the suspect in a slow-speed pursuit. After the car became disabled, Husein exited with a handgun, prompting a police shooting. He then carjacked another vehicle and headed back toward San Jose. No injuries occurred during the Hollister incidents.
Shortly after 3:50 p.m. in downtown San Jose, Husein struck a stopped vehicle near Julian Street and Notre Dame Avenue, then charged at a responding sergeant while firing multiple rounds. The sergeant was hit in the head, suffering a fractured skull, and returned fire while bleeding. Husein attempted to flee in the patrol vehicle, then on foot, and tried to carjack another vehicle before being struck and fatally shot by police.
Three sergeants and six officers, with four to 19 years of service, were involved in the confrontation. Their body cameras were active during the incident. The injured sergeant was released from the hospital Thursday afternoon.
Chief Joseph described the scene as intense and chaotic, noting that bystanders likened it to “the closest thing to a war” they had ever witnessed. Vice Mayor Pam Foley praised the bravery of officers, highlighting their willingness to confront danger to protect the community.
Husein’s criminal history was primarily in Northern California, with no immediate known connection to San Jose. The San Jose Police Department’s homicide unit, Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, internal affairs unit, city attorney’s office, and independent police auditor are all investigating the incident.