05/22/2026
PRESS RELEASE
Pacific Grove Police Arrest Out-of-State Suspect in Attempted Homicide of Local Resident
Pacific Grove, CA — On May 21, 2026, at approximately 9:00 PM, officers with the Pacific Grove Police Department responded to 7 Moreland Avenue in Pacific Grove for a report of two males arguing.
Upon arrival, officers were able to observe through an open window a male later identified as 50-year-old Kevin A. Birdo of Centralia, Illinois, actively cutting himself on the arm with what appeared to be a standard kitchen steak-style knife.
Officers began communicating with Birdo and issued verbal commands in an effort to safely de-escalate the situation. Birdo eventually dropped the knife and walked outside the residence, where officers placed him into handcuffs and took him into custody without incident.
During the detention, Birdo made several spontaneous statements, including statements regarding another individual being inside the small apartment residence. Officers subsequently made entry into the apartment to conduct a welfare check and located the victim, identified as 50-year-old Pacific Grove resident Hubert L. Garrett, unconscious but alive inside a bedroom.
Garrett was provided medical treatment at the scene and transported by ambulance to a local area hospital for further treatment. Preliminary injuries observed included facial lacerations and apparent facial fractures consistent with blunt force trauma. The lacerations also appeared consistent with injuries caused by a knife or other edged weapon. Alcohol was determined to be a contributing factor in the incident.
Although Birdo made several spontaneous statements following his arrest, he ultimately invoked his constitutional right to remain silent and declined to provide a formal statement to investigators.
Based on the investigation, Birdo was arrested for attempted homicide, in violation of California Penal Code section 664/187 PC. He was later booked into the Monterey County Jail. Additional charges will be sought through the District Attorney’s Office for Mayhem (PC 203) and Assault with a Deadly Weapon (PC 245).
Investigators also determined that Birdo has a documented out-of-state criminal history that includes arrests and convictions related to violent offenses, including felony assault and aggravated battery on a police officer. Additional prior arrests include allegations involving assault, robbery, weapons offenses, obstructing justice, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery on a peace officer, domestic violence, aggravated battery on a pregnant or disabled person, and battery causing bodily harm.
The Pacific Grove Police Department has jurisdiction over this investigation. This investigation remains active, and additional details will be released as they become available and are appropriate for public disclosure.
The Pacific Grove Police Department would like to thank the Monterey Police Department and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this investigation. Monterey Police provided officers and investigators for crime scene security and investigative assistance. The Sheriff’s Office provided Crime Scene Investigators (CSI’s) and assisted with processing the crime scene and evidence collection.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Pacific Grove Police Department at (831) 648-3143. Detective Ray Gordano is the lead investigator regarding this incident.
Any questions can be directed to Casey Day, Chief of Police.
