Authorities Friday identified the sheriff’s deputy and knife-wielding suspect he fatally shot in Imperial Beach.
Deputy Maxwell Hammond, who has worked for three years with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office and is assigned to the Imperial Beach Substation, was identified as the deputy involved. Cary Gates of Evansville, Indiana, 51, was identified as the suspect in Sunday’s shooting, according to the San Diego Police Department.
“At about 1:38 p.m., two San Diego County sheriff’s deputies and a sergeant were contacted by Gates near the Imperial Beach Pier,” said SDPD PIO Cesar Jimenez. “During the contact, Gates stepped away from the deputies and produced a knife, making statements consistent with wanting to be shot by the deputies, then advanced toward them holding the knife in his hand.”
Jimenez said Hammond reacted by “firing multiple shots toward Gates, striking him at least once.”
Gates was then taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, Jimenez said.
SDPD homicide detectives were called in to investigate under the countywide memorandum of understanding regarding shootings by officers. The shooting will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine if Maxwell bears any criminal liability for his actions.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office will also review the shooting for any violations of policy. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will also be monitoring the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
Updated at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 26, 2025
— City News Service
