SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Police Department released body-worn camera video from a gunfight that left a sergeant shot in the head and a carjacking suspect dead following an exchange of gunfire with multiple officers.
The video, released on March 1, captures the Jan. 21 confrontation involving Sgt. Gerardo Silva and 30-year-old Muhamed Husien, who police say had been linked to a series of carjackings, robberies and earlier shootouts that day.
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According to a critical incident briefing released by police, Silva responded to the end of a multi-agency pursuit in downtown San Jose. Body camera footage shows Silva exiting his SUV with his service weapon drawn after nearly striking Husien, who had just exited a stolen vehicle.
Moments later, the suspect shoots Silva in the hand. As he attempts to return fire, he is struck a second time — this time in the head. The video shows blood on his sleeve as he radios, “I’m shot!” while continuing to exchange gunfire. Additional rounds strike Silva’s patrol vehicle, shattering glass.
Despite his injuries, Silva moves away from the immediate line of fire and continues pursuing Husien on foot. Other officers converge on the scene and open fire as the suspect runs toward a nearby Highway 87 underpass.
Silva, a 13-year department veteran, underwent surgery for a skull fracture and was released from the hospital the following day, police said.
Additional footage shows another sergeant driving toward Husien as he fled. The SUV strikes Husien, who appears to be on the ground, before the sergeant exits with a rifle. As gunfire continues, the sergeant can be heard yelling “Cease fire!” and “Cross fire!” to alert officers of potential positioning risks.
Police said Husien was armed with a 9mm handgun equipped with an extended 33-round magazine. In the department’s narrated video presentation, Officer Tanya Hernandez states that the vehicle contact helped dislodge the suspect’s firearm and that Husien continued moving after being shot and struck by the SUV.
Husien was pronounced dead at the scene.
A total of three sergeants and six officers discharged their firearms during the incident, according to SJPD.
Prior crimes and earlier shootouts
Husien had been involved in a crime spree in the days leading up to the fatal confrontation, Mercury News reports.
Investigators allege Husien stole a red Chevrolet Corvette in Sacramento on Jan. 17 with an alleged accomplice. Husien is also suspected in multiple armed robberies, including incidents in San Jose and on the Peninsula.
On Jan. 21, police say Husien stole another Corvette at gunpoint from a San Jose auto dealership before fleeing south to Hollister, where he exchanged gunfire with local police and San Benito County sheriff’s deputies. He later carjacked another vehicle and drove back toward San Jose. During the pursuit, he allegedly fired at California Highway Patrol officers. No officers were struck in those earlier incidents.
