Angelo Jose Saldivar Charged in Deputy Nunez Shooting

Angelo Jose Saldivar, a 47-year-old San Bernardino man, has been charged with ten crimes, including the murder of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Nunez, whom prosecutors say he shot in the face on October 27, 2025, as the deputy responded to a domestic violence call in Rancho Cucamonga. The murder count carries special circumstance allegations that make Saldivar eligible for life in prison without parole or the death penalty if he is convicted and those allegations are found true.¹

What Prosecutors Say Happened

Deputies were dispatched to a condominium complex in the 12300 block of Hollyhock Drive in Rancho Cucamonga on the afternoon of October 27, 2025, after witnesses reported a man threatening a woman with a gun. According to the Daily Bulletin, citing a source close to the investigation, Saldivar had arrived at his ex-wife’s home and was attempting to force her into a car at gunpoint while she clung to a tree to keep from being dragged away. Dispatchers received reports of yelling, screaming, and multiple gunshots at the residence.²

Saldivar and his ex-wife had been married 18 years before separating in September 2024, and their divorce was finalized on July 30, 2025. They share a 17-year-old daughter. CBS News reported that Saldivar had no known prior criminal history.²³

The Shooting of Deputy Nunez

Deputy Andrew Nunez, 28, a six-year veteran of the department assigned to the Rancho Cucamonga station, was the first deputy on scene at about 12:37 p.m. According to the Daily Bulletin’s source, Saldivar was hiding in an alcove near the front door of the residence and shot Nunez once in the face as the deputy stood behind the door of his patrol car.² Nunez was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and pronounced dead at 1:13 p.m.⁴

The Freeway Pursuit and Arrest

Saldivar fled on a motorcycle and led law enforcement eastbound on the 210 Freeway for roughly 50 minutes at speeds estimated between 150 and 200 miles per hour, reportedly brandishing a handgun during the chase.⁵⁶

The pursuit ended near Upland when Detective Shaun Wallen, an off-duty narcotics detective, used his personal vehicle to strike the motorcycle. Saldivar was thrown over the hood of the car, surrounded by officers, and taken into custody. Sheriff Shannon Dicus called Wallen’s action a “legal intervention” at a press conference that evening, saying the detective “put himself on duty” to end the chase.⁷⁵ Saldivar was injured in the crash and hospitalized before being booked into jail.

The Ten Charges

On November 3, 2025, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson filed ten charges against Saldivar under case number FWV25004311:¹

One count of murder under Penal Code 187(a) for the killing of Deputy Nunez.
One count of attempted kidnapping under Penal Code 207(a).
Four counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm under Penal Code 245(b).
One count of discharge of a firearm with gross negligence under Penal Code 246.3(a).
One count of evading an officer with willful disregard under Vehicle Code 2800.2(a).
One count of false imprisonment by violence under Penal Code 236.
One count of battery on a spouse under Penal Code 243(e)(1).

The murder count carries two special circumstance allegations: that Saldivar killed a peace officer acting in the line of duty, and that the killing was committed to avoid arrest. Prosecutors also filed special allegations for the personal and intentional discharge of a firearm in the murder, and firearm-use enhancements on the assault counts.¹

Plea, Custody, and Next Steps

Saldivar made his first court appearance on November 5, 2025, at the Superior Court in Rancho Cucamonga after being medically cleared. Represented by Deputy Public Defender Andrew Moll, he pleaded not guilty to all ten charges and denied the seven felony enhancements. Judge Shannon Faherty confirmed the public defender’s appointment and ordered him held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center, with a follow-up hearing set for November 10 and a preliminary hearing expected shortly after.⁸⁹

What Saldivar Faces if Convicted

If Saldivar is convicted of murder and the special circumstances are found true, he is eligible for either life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. As of the charging date, Anderson had not decided whether to pursue death. He told NBC Los Angeles it was “too early” to make that determination and said the special allegations were filed so that the courts, the defense, and his office all understood the potential consequences.¹⁰

1
San Bernardino County District Attorney. District Attorney Jason Anderson Announces Charges Against Angelo Saldivar
2
Daily Bulletin. Man Suspected of Killing Rancho Cucamonga Deputy Was in Heated Argument With Ex-Wife
3
CBS News. San Bernardino Man Faces Murder in Deputy Andrew Nunez Death
4
ABC7. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Nunez Honored at Vigil in Rancho Cucamonga
5
Daily Bulletin. San Bernardino Sheriff’s Deputy Shot in Rancho Cucamonga; Suspect Flees on Motorcycle
6
KESQ. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Killed in Shooting; Suspect Crashes During Pursuit
7
NBC Los Angeles. San Bernardino Deputy Pursuit on Upland 210 Freeway
8
SBC Sentinel. Saldivar Charged With 9 Felonies in Nunez Killing
9
San Bernardino Sun. Man Charged With Murdering San Bernardino County Deputy Pleads Not Guilty
10
NBC Los Angeles. Man Accused of Fatally Shooting San Bernardino Deputy Faces 10 Charges