The quiet hum of a bustling In-N-Out Burger drive-thru in Manteca, California, was shattered on the evening of April 30, 2025, when a confrontation between a 69-year-old local man and police officers ended in tragedy. Charles McGonegal II, a Manteca resident with a decades-long criminal history, lost his life after being shot by police following a volatile encounter that saw him repeatedly ram his white van into patrol vehicles. The incident, which unfolded in front of stunned onlookers, has left the community grappling with questions about the use of lethal force and the circumstances that led to such a deadly outcome.
The chain of events began shortly after 5:00 p.m. at the In-N-Out located at 1490 E. Yosemite Avenue, a popular spot in a busy commercial corridor. Manteca Police Department officers were dispatched to the scene after multiple 911 calls reported a man acting erratically in the drive-thru line. Witnesses described McGonegal as aggressive, with some alleging he struck other vehicles in the queue, prompting restaurant staff to refuse his order. Sharon Alameda, a customer waiting at the drive-thru window with her daughter and partner, recounted feeling her car jolt as McGonegal’s van made contact. “All of a sudden, I felt my car move a couple of times,” she said, describing the unsettling moments before police arrived.
When officers approached McGonegal, the situation quickly escalated. Authorities say he rammed a patrol vehicle almost immediately, prompting a 20-minute effort to de-escalate the encounter. Police attempted to communicate with McGonegal, urging him to exit his vehicle and comply with their commands. But those efforts failed. McGonegal, undeterred, accelerated again, striking at least two more marked police cruisers. Fearing for their safety and that of bystanders, five officers opened fire, discharging what witnesses estimated to be 30 to 40 rounds. McGonegal was struck multiple times and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on May 1, 2025.
The chaotic scene unfolded in full view of a crowd, with some bystanders capturing video footage that later circulated widely online. Diego Usme, who was dining at a nearby restaurant, witnessed the confrontation and described the fear that gripped him as the situation spiraled. “I’ve seen this in movies, but now I’m seeing it in real life, and it’s very scary,” he said. The footage, which shows McGonegal’s van ramming police vehicles before officers fired, has fueled intense public debate about the necessity and scale of the police response.
Manteca Police Sergeant Steven Beerman defended the officers’ actions, emphasizing the imminent danger posed by McGonegal’s behavior. “If somebody was trying to run you over, would you fire one or two shots, or until the threat stopped?” Beerman asked, addressing criticism about the number of rounds fired. He stressed that the officers’ response likely prevented harm to civilians in the crowded parking lot, where families and onlookers stood nearby. No officers were injured, and the five involved have been placed on paid administrative leave for three days, per department policy, as investigations proceed.
The San Joaquin County Officer Involved Critical Incident Protocol has been enacted, triggering a multi-agency investigation led by the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, the California Department of Justice Crime Lab, and the Manteca Police Department. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether McGonegal was armed, what specific commands were issued, or whether body camera footage will be released to the public. The investigation aims to provide a thorough and impartial account of the incident, a process that could take weeks or months to complete.
McGonegal’s criminal history, which dates back to 1972 and spans multiple states, has also come under scrutiny. Previous convictions include assault, driving under the influence, and a 2023 incident in which he rammed a motorhome into vehicles on Interstate 580. These details, while not justifying the shooting, paint a complex picture of a man whose actions repeatedly brought him into conflict with law enforcement.
As Manteca mourns and seeks answers, the police department has called on witnesses to come forward with any information that could aid the investigation. The incident has sparked broader conversations about police training, de-escalation tactics, and the challenges of managing volatile situations in public spaces. For now, the community waits for clarity, hoping that the investigation will shed light on a tragedy that unfolded in the heart of their city.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Manteca Police Department at (209) 456-8101.
