VENTURA, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Clemente Zamarippa-Mata (DOB 12/29/1987) of Ventura, will not be charged in the August 2, 2014, incident in which he recklessly drove his pickup truck near the Ventura County Fair. Zamarippa-Mata struck a security gate, a parked bus, and several police vehicles as he attempted to evade officers. He then accelerated the pickup in the direction of law enforcement and struck a sergeant from the Ventura Police Department. Two officers who witnessed the potentially deadly assault by Zamarippa-Mata responded by discharging their firearms, shooting him in the neck. The pickup came to a stop as it crashed into other police vehicles. Zamarippa-Mata was treated at the scene and then transported to the hospital.

A pipe used to smoke methamphetamine was located inside the truck, and Zamarippa-Mata tested positive for amphetamines.

The District Attorney’s Office has evaluated the actions of Zamarippa-Mata and find that he committed several crimes on August 2, 2014, the most serious being Assault with a Deadly Weapon Upon a Peace Officer. Under these circumstances, we believe the officers who discharged their firearms upon Zamarippa-Mata were justified.

Zamarippa-Mata was never arrested. He continues to require medical assistance for on-going complications as a result of his injury.

Some of the factors considered when prosecuting an individual include: the future safety of the community; the need for justice of the victim(s); the need for a penalty; and deterrence. After thoughtful consideration, the District Attorney’s Office has determined that the costs and resources associated with prosecuting a person in Zamarippa-Mata’s condition will not best serve the community’s needs. We expect that Zamarippa-Mata’s medical condition will prevent him from committing future crime.

The sergeant assaulted by Zamarippa-Mata initially required medical attention but ultimately made a full recovery.