MANTECA, CA — Man Fatally Shot by Police After Ramming Vehicles at In-N-Out Drive-Thru
MANTECA, CA — A chaotic and ultimately tragic incident unfolded Wednesday evening outside a popular In-N-Out Burger in Manteca, where a 69-year-old man was fatally shot by officers after allegedly ramming multiple police vehicles with his van during a tense confrontation.
According to the Manteca Police Department, the events began to unfold on April 30, 2025, at approximately 5:05 p.m., when dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting a disturbance in the drive-thru lane of the In-N-Out located at 1490 E. Yosemite Avenue. Witnesses described a man behaving erratically behind the wheel of a white van, raising alarm among restaurant patrons and employees.
Responding officers arrived on the scene minutes later and quickly located the suspect, later identified as Charles McGonegal, a 69-year-old resident of Manteca. Police say McGonegal was inside the drive-thru lane, exhibiting signs of distress and uncooperative behavior. As officers attempted to initiate communication with him, the situation escalated rapidly.
Authorities say that without warning, McGonegal began ramming his van into patrol vehicles that were attempting to block his path, endangering officers and others nearby. The force of the collisions reportedly caused significant damage to at least two marked police units.
Officers issued repeated commands for McGonegal to stop, but he allegedly continued to accelerate and reverse aggressively, striking the vehicles multiple times. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with police shouting commands while customers and employees sought cover.
At some point during the confrontation, police say McGonegal’s actions posed an immediate and grave threat to the safety of officers and civilians. In response, multiple officers discharged their firearms, striking McGonegal. Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene immediately, but McGonegal was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
No officers or bystanders were physically injured in the incident, although the emotional impact of the confrontation left many shaken. “It was like something out of a movie,” said one eyewitness who had been waiting in line for food. “You don’t expect to see something like that at a burger place.”
The Manteca Police Department has confirmed that body-worn cameras were activated and captured the entirety of the incident. Those videos will be reviewed as part of the investigation now being conducted by the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, which is standard procedure following any officer-involved shooting. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, also standard policy in such cases.
At this time, no motive has been officially determined for McGonegal’s actions. Police are working to gather background information, including any possible mental health history, as part of their ongoing inquiry. The white van was towed from the scene and is being examined for evidence.
Residents of Manteca expressed shock at the incident, particularly given the age of the suspect and the unusual nature of the confrontation. “It’s just sad all around,” said another bystander. “You don’t know what someone might be going through.”
The In-N-Out location remained closed for several hours following the incident but has since reopened. Management issued a statement expressing gratitude for the swift response by law enforcement and concern for the safety of customers and employees.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have video footage from the area to contact the Manteca Police Department.
As the investigation continues, the department says it is committed to transparency and will release additional details as they become available.