Deadly Chase: Violent Carjacking Spree Ends in Shootout

In a violent confrontation that stretched across multiple California counties, a veteran San Jose police sergeant was critically wounded and a suspect killed following an extended crime spree involving stolen Corvettes, armed carjackings, and multiple shootouts with law enforcement. The sergeant, while hospitalized in critical but stable condition, is expected to recover from gunshot wounds sustained during the final confrontation. The incident, which culminated in a hail of gunfire described by witnesses as “the closest thing to war,” brought terror to multiple communities before ending in downtown San Jose on Wednesday.

According to San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph, the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Mohamed Husien from Davis, California, began his crime spree on January 17 in Sacramento by stealing a red Corvette. Husien then traveled to the Bay Area, where he allegedly committed a series of robberies across multiple jurisdictions. The violence escalated dramatically on Wednesday when Husien carried out another armed carjacking at a San Jose auto mall, this time stealing a green Corvette. The stolen vehicles were flagged by San Jose’s Real Time Intelligence Center using automated license plate readers, allowing police to track Husien’s movements throughout the region. A police helicopter provided crucial surveillance as the suspect moved between counties, enabling coordinated responses from multiple law enforcement agencies.

The pursuit intensified when Husien traveled south into San Benito County, where Hollister police and sheriff’s deputies initiated a slow-speed chase after locating one of the stolen vehicles. When the car became disabled near Buena Vista Road and Westside Boulevard, Husien abandoned it and fired at officers before fleeing on foot. After another exchange of gunfire with sheriff’s deputies near Buena Vista Road and Line Street, the suspect carjacked yet another vehicle at gunpoint and fled back toward San Jose. During this leg of the pursuit, he reportedly fired shots at California Highway Patrol officers who were giving chase. According to a law enforcement source who spoke with local media, Husien was wanted for multiple robberies in East Palo Alto and San Mateo, suggesting a crime spree much broader than initially reported.

The deadly confrontation finally came to an end near Julian and Terraine streets in San Jose, just off Highway 87, where another fierce exchange of gunfire erupted. Bystanders reported hearing between 20 to 30 gunshots in the neighborhood as the situation reached its violent conclusion. During this final shootout, the suspect was killed, and the San Jose police sergeant was wounded by gunfire from Husien. The intensity of the situation prompted authorities to close a portion of Highway 87 for several hours as investigators processed the expansive crime scene. Social media video appears to show the wounded suspect entering and exiting a police vehicle before collapsing as officers rushed toward him, though police have not confirmed these details and stated that the medical examiner will determine the official manner of death.

San Jose Police Officers’ Association President Steve Slack praised the courage of all officers involved, emphasizing the “incredible bravery exhibited by every officer, especially the SJPD sergeant who was shot and hospitalized after confronting the dangerous criminal.” Slack noted that the suspect “had no regard for anyone’s life and endangered hundreds of innocent people during his multiple-county crime spree,” while officers “ran toward gunfire and ultimately eliminated the threat.” The wounded sergeant is reportedly “in good spirits,” with the police association providing support to both the officer and his family during this difficult time. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan shared that the sergeant’s first words after arriving at the hospital were, “Make sure someone takes care of my dogs,” which the mayor described as a reflection of the character of both the injured officer and the police department as a whole.

Chief Joseph acknowledged the profound impact of the incident on everyone involved, stating, “Every officer involved in yesterday’s harrowing incident will carry the heaviness of what happened for the rest of their lives.” The chief emphasized that members of the public caught in the crossfire described the scene as a war zone, highlighting the intensity and terror of those moments for both officers and community members. While San Jose police were not involved in the initial pursuit until it reentered city limits, their helicopter monitored the suspect throughout, providing critical information to outside agencies and SJPD units. The investigation into this complex, multi-jurisdictional incident remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together the full timeline of Husien’s alleged crime spree and the circumstances surrounding the final deadly confrontation.