Officials with the county’s District Attorney’s Office cleared a Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputy Thursday in a fatal shooting last January.

The report, posted Thursday, is part of the county’s monthly reporting of officer-involved shooting investigations, which are investigated as a matter of procedure.

Sheriff’s Department detectives made their determination in looking at investigative reports, audio recordings of interviews, the autopsy report, crime scene diagrams and sketches, photographic evidence, and witness statement, including a statement by the deputy involved, Nathan Gillespie.

“We have concluded that Deputy Gillespie acted lawfully in self-defense,” according to a statement by LADA Jackie Lacey.

The shooting took place Jan. 14, 2016, as Gillespie was working as a patrol officer in a one-man marked patrol vehicle in Canyon Country.

The previous day, patrol deputies were alerted to a case involving an outstanding road rage suspect sought for questioning, after a motorist reported a man pulled a gun and fired at the victim from a two-toned, white-and-tan Lexus sedan.

Gillespie, believing the car matched the description of the suspect, followed the vehicle and attempted to effectuate a traffic stop using his lights and fog horn.
The driver of the Lexus, later identified as Miguel Hernandez, turned on his signal as if to turn into a parking lot entrance of a townhouse, then turned the signal light off and continued proceeding forward. Hernandez turned on his signal light again but failed to turn an additional two or more times, according to the D.A.’s report.

When Hernandez reached Nathan Hill Road, he turned left (west) and pulled his vehicle over to the north curb line. Gillespie stopped his patrol car offset to the driver’s side in close proximity to the rear of the Lexus. Gillespie quickly exited his patrol car with his duty weapon in his right hand, pointed at the Lexus. Gillespie ordered Hernandez to turn off the vehicle engine as Gillespie approached the front bumper of the patrol car.

Hernandez suddenly exited the driver’s side door of the Lexus, with only the left side of his body visible to Gillespie. Gillespie ordered Hernandez to show him his hands. Hernandez did not comply. Gillespie could see Hernandez’ left hand, but his right hand was concealed and moving in the area of his right hip/waistband. Hernandez was wearing baggy clothing, and had what appeared to be gang tattoos on his head, which was shaved.

Hernandez’ appearance, demeanor and actions, as well as the vehicle he was driving, caused Gillespie to believe that Hernandez was the suspect from the shooting the day before.1

Gillespie continued to order Hernandez to show him his hands. Hernandez did not comply, and quickly turned towards Gillespie while moving his right hand. Fearing that Hernandez had retrieved a gun and was about to shoot him, Gillespie fired one round from his service weapon, striking Hernandez in the left shoulder.2 Hernandez fell face-first to the ground. As Gillespie moved to Hernandez to handcuff him, he noted that the windows of the Lexus were tinted. Upon reaching Hernandez, Gillespie placed his knee on Hernandez’ back and handcuffed him. Gillespie did not see any object in Hernandez’ right hand. Gillespie then radioed for assistance.

Hernandez was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Deputy Medical Examiner Yulai Wang performed an autopsy and attributed the cause of death to one gunshot wound to the left shoulder which perforated both lungs.

The Hernandez family filed a lawsuit alleging deputies conducted a traffic stop for “no apparent reason.”

Subsequent investigation was unable to prove or disprove whether Hernandez was, in fact, involved in the assault the day prior.

Hernandez did have a warrant for his arrest for a parole violation. He refused to make any statement to investigators on multiple occasions.

Toxicology testing done as part of the autopsy revealed marijuana, amphetamines and methamphetamine in Hernandez’ blood samples at the time of his death.