Berkeley Tesla Stun Gun Defendant Exonerated in Protest Case

Ricardo Ruiz still faces 11 felony charges from a 2025 standoff with police.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Ricardo Gonzalez Ruiz, a 34-year-old man who was shot by police after an armed standoff in April 2025, has been found not guilty of a misdemeanor assault charge related to an incident at a political protest outside a Berkeley Tesla dealership last March. While Ruiz was exonerated in the protest case, he still faces 11 felony charges from the 2025 standoff.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex legal issues surrounding protests, self-defense claims, and the use of force by both protesters and law enforcement. It also raises questions about how the criminal justice system handles individuals with potential mental health issues.

The details

At the March 2025 protest against Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Ruiz, an avowed Trump supporter, rode his bike to the event and played music over speakers. When several protesters tried to shoo him away, Ruiz pulled out a stun gun and flashed it near the face of protester Susan Kegeles. Kegeles said she tried to pull Ruiz off his bike, and he grabbed her arm and she pulled his hair. Ruiz's attorney argued that he acted in self-defense.

  • In March 2025, the protest against Tesla CEO Elon Musk took place.
  • In April 2025, Ruiz was shot by police after an armed standoff.

The players

Ricardo Gonzalez Ruiz

A 34-year-old man who was found not guilty of a misdemeanor assault charge related to an incident at a political protest, but still faces 11 felony charges from a 2025 standoff with police.

Susan Kegeles

A Berkeley resident who said she tried to pull Ruiz off his bike during the protest, and he grabbed her arm and she pulled his hair.

Amber Vincent

Ruiz's attorney, who argued that he acted in self-defense during the protest incident.

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What they’re saying

“Ruiz had acted only in self-defense.”

— Amber Vincent, Ruiz's attorney (The Berkeley Scanner)

“I tried to pull Ruiz off his bike; he grabbed my arm, and I pulled his hair.”

— Susan Kegeles, Berkeley resident (Berkeleyside)

What’s next

Ruiz's public defender in the 11-felony-count case has sought a mental health diversion, which is still under consideration by the court.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal issues surrounding protests, self-defense claims, and the use of force by both protesters and law enforcement, as well as the need for the criminal justice system to address potential mental health issues of defendants.