UPDATE SINCE FIRST PUBLISHING:
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that Claudia Anguiano, the missing wife of Gregory Anguiano, has been located safe after investigators appealed to the public for assistance in finding her. Authorities had reported that Claudia had not been seen since her release from custody in Whittier on June 15 and noted that her lack of contact with family members was considered highly unusual. The Sheriff’s Office has not released additional details regarding where she was found or whether her disappearance is connected to the ongoing investigation surrounding the June 19 deputy-involved shooting that resulted in Gregory Anguiano’s death. The broader investigation remains active.
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The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has released additional details regarding the deputy-involved shooting that occurred on June 19, as investigators continue to examine the incident and search for a missing woman connected to the case.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched after receiving a 9-1-1 call reporting a residential burglary in progress. Around the same time, another caller reported a man carrying a crowbar and charging toward passing vehicles.
A deputy responding to the area contacted the suspect, who authorities say became combative during the encounter. Investigators report the suspect took the deputy’s TASER and deployed it against her, embedding both probes in her body.
As the struggle continued, multiple citizens called 9-1-1 reporting that the deputy and suspect were fighting on the ground and that the suspect appeared to be attempting to take the deputy’s firearm. Several community members reportedly stopped to assist the deputy during the altercation.
The Sheriff’s Office said the suspect continued assaulting the deputy and attempting to gain control of her firearm despite those efforts. The deputy ultimately discharged her service weapon, striking the suspect. Life-saving measures were immediately provided, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Under California law, the California Department of Justice is conducting an independent investigation because the shooting resulted in a death and the decedent was not armed with a deadly weapon at the time of the incident. Officials noted that the investigation is required under Assembly Bill 1506 and does not, by itself, indicate wrongdoing by the deputy involved.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office has been requested to conduct the coroner’s investigation. The deceased was identified as 42-year-old Gregory Simon Anguiano.
Investigators located Anguiano’s Ford Escape west of Gaston Road near an orchard and recovered his cellular phone near Avenue 12 and Gaston Road.
As the investigation progressed, detectives learned that Gregory Anguiano was married to Claudia Anguiano, who has not been seen since June 15. Claudia was last seen in Whittier, California. Investigators said the couple had been residing in Whittier while also maintaining a residence in Fresno and were believed to be in the process of relocating.
Authorities have since confirmed that Gregory Anguiano was in Moreno Valley on June 18 at approximately 7:24 p.m. at a Del Taco restaurant. His vehicle was later tracked traveling through Gilman Hot Springs, near Hemet, around 8 p.m., before returning toward Whittier at approximately 12:30 a.m.
Detectives also determined that Claudia Anguiano had been arrested on June 11 and remained in custody in Whittier until June 15 on a domestic violence-related charge in which Gregory Anguiano was identified as the reported victim. Family members told investigators that Claudia has not contacted her children since her release, which they described as highly unusual. Detectives said she has also failed to pick up her paycheck and has not been reachable despite extensive efforts to contact her.
The Sheriff’s Office is now asking for the public’s assistance in establishing Gregory Anguiano’s activities and whereabouts in the hours leading up to the incident and in locating Claudia Anguiano. Anyone who saw either individual or had contact with them is encouraged to contact investigators.
In its update, the Sheriff’s Office thanked the citizens who came to the deputy’s aid during the struggle, calling their actions “heroic” and “selfless.” Officials also praised detectives for their ongoing investigative efforts.
Investigators further reported that Gregory Anguiano had prior criminal convictions, including battery on a peace officer in 2008 and domestic violence in 2019. His criminal history also included arrests for burglary, resisting arrest, providing false identification to a peace officer, driving under the influence, vandalism, and driving on a suspended license.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 675-7770. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867), by texting “Tip MaderaSO” to 888777, or through the Madera Sheriff mobile app.
