FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2024
Re: Pacifica Police Department Officer Involved Shooting Of Michelle Arrais On March 27, 2024
The District Attorney’s Office has completed its investigation into the fatal shooting of Michelle Arrais on March 27, 2024 by Pacifica Police Corporal Hayden Fry and Officer Kevin Contreras during a confrontation at 2562 Francisco Boulevard in Pacifica. After a thorough investigation by Inspector Jamie Draper and other inspectors with the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, District Attorney Stephen M. Wagstaffe has concluded that there is no legal basis for filing criminal charges against either of the two Pacifica Police Officers involved in the death of Ms. Arrais. District Attorney Wagstaffe has concluded that the use of lethal force by Corporal Hayden Fry and Officer Kevin Contreras was legally justifiable self-defense and defense of others pursuant to California Penal Code section 835a and section 196. Therefore, this case is now deemed closed by this office.
The letter written by District Attorney Wagstaffe to Pacifica Police Chief Maria Sarasua setting forth the basis for the decision declining to file criminal charges in this case is attached to this e-mail press release.
In accord with the standard practice of the District Attorney’s Office, our complete investigative report, other than materials which are legally protected and not subject to disclosure, will be made available for public inspection. Anyone seeking to read all or part of the reports should contact Chief Inspector William Massey of the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations at Bmassey@smcgov.org.