AG Finds Insufficient Evidence to Charge CHP Officer
California's attorney general declined to prosecute a Highway Patrol officer who fatally shot a driver in Glenn County in April 2023.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Law Enforcement
California Attorney General found insufficient evidence to prosecute CHP Officer Steven Bryant for the fatal shooting of Jesus Guzman Jr. during an April 2023 traffic stop in Glenn County. The state Department of Justice also issued five training recommendations to the California Highway Patrol following the case.
Why it matters
The decision closes the criminal review of a fatal police shooting that followed a speeding stop and a physical confrontation, and the accompanying training recommendations may shape how the CHP handles similar encounters across California.
The California Attorney General's office found insufficient evidence to bring charges against CHP Officer Steven Bryant, closing the criminal review of the April 2023 shooting. The DOJ's 37-page report recommended five training changes for the California Highway Patrol.
The players
California Attorney General
The state's chief law enforcement officer, whose office reviews police use-of-force incidents for potential criminal liability.
California Highway Patrol
The statewide law enforcement agency responsible for policing state highways, which received the DOJ's training recommendations after this case.
The details
Officer Steven Bryant pulled over Jesus Guzman Jr. for speeding at 88 miles per hour on southbound Interstate 5 near County Road 33. After Guzman's vehicle stopped at an almond orchard north of Arbuckle, Guzman punched the officer, knocking him unconscious, took the officer's Taser and discharged it at him, and Bryant fired, striking Guzman five times.
Timeline
April 2023: Shooting occurs on southbound Interstate 5 in Glenn County.
November 6, 2026: California Attorney General releases report finding insufficient evidence for prosecution.
Legal Context
This decision reflects the California Attorney General's independent review process for officer-involved shootings, which weighs whether evidence supports criminal charges rather than administrative discipline. The five training recommendations extend that review beyond the charging decision into CHP practice.
Drivers stopped by the California Highway Patrol may see the agency adopt the five DOJ training recommendations in future traffic enforcement. Residents of Glenn County and nearby Arbuckle are the communities most directly connected to the incident.
The takeaway
The decision highlights that criminal charges and training reform are separate outcomes, and readers interested in how officer conduct is reviewed can follow state DOJ reports for procedural detail.
Further reading
Explore more California law enforcement coverage for context on how state agencies review officer conduct.
