Suspect Arrested After Calaveras County Shooting
WEST POINT, Calif. (CBS13) -- A law enforcement perimeter has been lifted after the man accused of opening fire on deputies was arrested Monday evening, according to authorities.
The Calaveras County Sheriff's Department said two deputies, who were part of the first shift of a new unit targeting high crime areas within the county, attempted to pull over a vehicle with expired registration tags near Highway 26 and Railroad Flat road just after 3:00 p.m. Monday.
The driver sped away and deputies followed him to an abandoned barn about 500 yards away from the highway. When deputies drove around the barn, the suspect ambushed them and opened fire, sending at least one shot into their patrol car windshield.
Both deputies returned fire from inside the vehicle and called for backup. One deputy was slightly wounded by flying debris.
SWAT team members and CHP officers helped set up a perimeter around the area and began searching for the suspect, blocking nearby roadways for several hours.
A tip led authorities to a nearby residence, where they arrested 54-year-old Richard Kenneth Cooper.
The deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure following an on-duty shooting.
