The killing of Gates, a member of the local unhoused community, has raised questions about how the Sheriff’s Office responds to mental health crises.
Imperial Beach residents hold a vigil for Gary Gates, a longtime resident and member of the unhoused community, where he was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy two weeks earlier along the IB Pier, on Jan.
4, 2026 in Imperial Beach, California. The colorful rainbow sculptures at the entrance to the Imperial Beach Pier were lit by the somber orange glow of candlelight Sunday evening as a little over a dozen people gathered to hold a vigil for Gary Gates. Just before Christmas, a San Diego County Sheriff’s deputy shot and killed Gates, a member of the local unhoused community, near the pier during a crowded indigenous winter festival. The shooting has left many in Imperial Beach mourning Gates’ loss and has drawn new scrutiny to how sheriff’s deputies respond to people experiencing mental health crises.In the days leading up to the shooting, Gates had posted on Facebook and told local outreach workers that he was having suicidal thoughts. “Gary was asking for a sheriff to end his life,” said Danielle Richardson, a South Bay physician and member of Imperial Beach Cop Watch, a local advocacy group that monitors and records police activity. “They should be prepared for that scenario.” 4, 2026 in Imperial Beach, California. Gates, who was 51, spent most days living along the waterfront next to the pier. He had some rough edges, and people who knew him said he wasn’t always rational or easy to be around. But Gates was also well-known and had many friends, they said. His Facebook profile is full of videos of ocean waves and people in the park. He loved feeding the pigeons and played a video game called Second Life, where he took on the persona of a DJ and ran a nightclub where people could line dance. Lauren Griffin said she once let Gates stay at her home in Spring Valley for Memorial Day weekend. She said Gates reminded her of her ex-partner.Liana, who lives close to the pier and asked to only be identified by his first name, called Gates"just the most peaceful dude." He said Gates was a veteran and urged other former-service members to seek help if they need it.In the days before the shooting though, it seemed like Gates was in a dark place.about the challenges he had faced in his life, including the costs of healthcare and the bureaucracy of California’s housing system. Gates said he might try to overdose on drugs or get a police officer to shoot him. “For all of my life it's been me against the system,” he wrote. “Tonight I forgive everyone everyone that's ever wronged me and I apologized to everyone I've ever wronged.”Spring Valley resident Lauren Griffen sits for a portrait during a vigil for Gary Gates, a longtime Imperial Beach resident and member of the unhoused community, where he was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy two weeks earlier along the IB Pier, on Jan. 4, 2026 in Imperial Beach, California. That night, the sheriff’s office said they got a call about Gates possibly overdosing near the Imperial Beach Pier. Imperial Beach, which does not have its own police department, contracts with the sheriff for law enforcement. According to deputies, Gates was holding a knife and threatening to stab himself when they arrived. The deputies said they called in the county’s Eventually, deputies got Gates to put the knife away, they said. They offered Gates mental health services, but he declined.Videos released by the sheriff’s office show a bright Sunday afternoon next to the pier. The plaza is packed with vendors and a crowd for a yearly festival called Gates is standing on the sidewalk next to the street. He says he wants to talk to one of the deputies, Maxwell Hammond. Hammond approaches Gates, and Gates backs away from him.Hammond keeps walking towards him, but Gates walks backwards into the intersection. He takes out a knife. Hammond asks one of the other deputies to get a “bean bag,” referring to a less-lethal shotgun. He and another deputy, Jose Gonzalez-Diaz, draw their guns. The third deputy, Sergeant April Gaines, draws her taser instead. Gates starts walking towards Hammond, still holding the knife. Hammond shouts Gates’ name repeatedly, then fires at least four shots. Gates falls to the ground.A portrait of Gary Gates, a member of the local unhoused community, by local artist Esmeralda Robles rests where he was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy two weeks earlier along the IB Pier, on Jan. 4, 2026 in Imperial Beach, California.Imperial Beach residents Danielle Richardson listens during a vigil for Gary Gates, a longtime resident and member of the unhoused community, where he was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy two weeks earlier along the IB Pier, on Jan. 4, 2026 in Imperial Beach, California. To Richardson, the deputies’ response raised a number of questions. She said the officers should have taken Gates to the hospital when they encountered him on Dec. 19.She said they should have taken the knife away from Gates, and deputies should have been prepared during the second incident to de-escalate the situation if Gates did try to confront them.“He didn't even make any lawful commands to Gary,” she said. “He just said, ‘Gary, no, no.’ That's not a clear command.”The county’s Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board and District Attorney Summer Stephen are reviewing the shooting as well. The sheriff’s office said the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are also monitoring the investigation. The three deputies — Hammond, Gonzalez-Diaz and Gaines — all work for the sheriff’s regional substation Imperial Beach.If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is available 24 hours a day. Call or textKori Suzuki covers South San Diego County and the Imperial Valley for KPBS. He reports on the decisions of local government officials with a particular focus on environmental issues, housing affordability, and race and identity. He is especially drawn to stories that show how we are all complicated and multidimensional.Amid push to cut spending, San Diego city auditor fights against shrinking budgetKPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about — with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.KPBS has created a public safety coverage policy to guide decisions on what stories we prioritize, as well as whose narratives we need to include to tell complete stories that best serve our audiences. This policy was shaped through months of training with the Poynter Institute and feedback from the community. You can read the full policy here.
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