February 24, 2026 – Monterey County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at approximately 8:12 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 1100-Block of Madison Lane following a report of a subject brandishing a firearm.

The victim reported that the driver of a black BMW sedan, which was not displaying license plates, confronted him after being challenged about reckless driving in the neighborhood. During the confrontation, the driver brandished a handgun and then fled the area. The suspect was later identified as Santiago Martinez-Amaro.

Approximately five minutes later, Martinez-Amaro returned to the scene and threatened to “mow down” the victim before firing approximately three rounds in his direction. The victim was not injured as he had taken cover behind a pickup truck. The rounds struck the pickup truck instead. The suspect then fled the area again.

Deputies arrived within minutes and located the suspect vehicle traveling eastbound on Calle del Adobe. A felony traffic stop was conducted in the parking lot of IHOP. Martinez-Amaro and a passenger were taken into custody without incident.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies located several spent .45 caliber shell casings inside the car as well as one unspent .45 caliber round on the driver’s seat. A black, unregistered .45 caliber handgun was recovered.

Martinez-Amaro was transported and booked into the County Jail on the following charges:

• Attempted Murder (664/187 PC)
• Carrying a Concealed Firearm (25400(a) PC)
• Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle (26100(c) PC)
• Carrying a Concealed Firearm Within a Vehicle (25400(a)(1) PC)
• Criminal Threats (422(a) PC)
• Brandishing a Firearm (417(a)(2)(B) PC)
• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (23152(a) CVC)
• Driving with a Blood Alcohol Content of .08% or Higher (23152(b) CVC)

Source: Monterey County Sheriff's Office