Wednesday morning, October 22, 2025, Fairfield High School staff were alerted that a female juvenile student had been assaulted by an adult male while walking to school. School Resource Officers were immediately notified and responded to assist the victim.
The student was transported to a local hospital for a medical evaluation. During the investigation, officers learned that the student had been walking near the 300 block of Dahlia Street when she was approached by a resident, later identified as 37-year-old Victor Viera Chavez, a Hispanic adult male from Fairfield. Chavez allegedly confronted the student with vulgar, race-based language before physically assaulting her, reportedly due to her perceived immigration status.
A nearby resident witnessed the incident, helped the student, and transported her safely to Fairfield High School, where staff immediately contacted police. The Fairfield Police Department launched a hate crime investigation and attempted to contact Chavez at his residence that same day.
When initial attempts were unsuccessful, members of the Youth Services Unit conducted surveillance near the suspect’s home the following morning to ensure community safety, particularly for children walking to school. During this operation, officers observed Chavez leaving his residence, at which point he was safely detained and interviewed.
Victor Viera Chavez was subsequently arrested and booked into the Solano County Jail on the following felony charges:
- Assault
- Child Endangerment
- Hate Crime
The Fairfield Police Department has zero tolerance for violence against our community and takes all allegations of hate crimes extremely seriously. We remain committed to protecting every member of our community and ensuring that our schools remain safe places for students to learn and grow.
Walking to School Safely
We encourage parents and guardians to review these safety reminders with their children:
- Walk with friends or in groups – There’s safety in numbers. Try to walk with classmates whenever possible.
- Stay alert – Avoid distractions such as cell phones or headphones while walking. Be aware of your surroundings.
- Use familiar routes – Stick to well-lit, well-traveled paths and avoid shortcuts through alleys, fields, or isolated areas.
- Trust your instincts – If something doesn’t feel right, leave the area and go to a safe place, such as a school, store, or friend’s house.
- Never talk to strangers – Do not accept rides, gifts, or help from anyone you don’t know, even if they seem friendly.
- Know safe spots – Identify trusted locations along your route where you can get help if needed.
- Report suspicious behavior – If approached or followed by a stranger, run to safety and tell a trusted adult immediately. Call 9-1-1 if you feel unsafe.
The Fairfield Police Department encourages our community to look out for one another. Together, we can help keep our children safe as they travel to and from school each day.
