Wanted Double Homicide Suspect Shot, Killed By Deputies In Camp Fire Evacuation Zone; Sheriff K9 Killed
BUTTE COUNTY (CBS13) - A wanted double homicide suspect was shot and killed by deputies in the Camp Fire evacuation zone in Butte County late Thursday morning.
According to the Butte County Sheriff's Office, the incident happened just after 11 a.m. in the area of Highway 70 and Pence Road.
Deputies spotted a known parolee-at-large who was also wanted in connection to a double homicide case from 2014.
The suspect saw the law enforcement officers coming for him, prompting him to get in his car and race down Highway 70.
A chase ensued and spike strips were used to stop him. The 48-year-old suspect from Berry Creek eventually rolled to a stop south of Pence Road.
The deputies told him to get out of his car with his hands out. However, the deputies say they saw him put a hand in his jacket and refused to take it out. The deputies also heard what they believed to be a gun clicking.
The suspect reportedly told the deputies "You guys should have left me alone" and "I'm not going back."
A Sutter County Sheriff K9, Bandit, was then released toward the suspect. However, the deputies saw some sort of movement of his hands - prompting them to open fire.
The suspect, whose name has not been released at this point, was killed in the shooting.
The K9 was caught in the line of fire and was also killed, the sheriff's office says. A pit bull owned by the suspect, who had come out of the suspect's car and started attacking the K9, was also killed.
A total of seven law enforcement officers from three different agencies - the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, the Butte County Sheriff's Office and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife - fired their weapons. None of the law enforcement officers were hurt.
The incident is still under investigation. The Department of Justice and Alameda County authorities also assisted in the incident. Alameda County has special equipment for retrieving evidence. Officials said they believe the suspect tossed his gun at the scene.
Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey released some information about the suspect Thursday night. Ramsey said the suspect has a history of crime and has been found to be in possession of multiple firearms and possible explosive devices.
The suspect was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison in 2016 but was released on parole in May of 2018. He then went missing and was considered a parolee at large in July of 2018.