Neighbors Shocked By Grass Valley Murder, Police Pursuit That Shut Down Interstate 80
GRASS VALLEY (CBS13) — A murder investigation in Grass Valley led to a high-speed chase covering three counties on Sunday.
The chase ended on Interstate 80, shutting down the freeway for hours on Sunday night until the suspect surrendered just before 1 a.m. on Monday.
Police identified Jason Schuller, 35, as the man behind the wheel. They say he led police on a 45-mile chase from Nevada County through Placer County and eventually to Sacramento County.
Michelle McConnell says it's hard to believe what started it all happened so close to home.
"This is really just a small town. Good people and good community," she said. "I did actually see the chase cause I was driving home from Sacramento."
A neighbor discovered a body in a home on Banner View Drive at around 9:25 p.m. on Sunday.
"Apparently one of the neighbors had walked outside and observed a vehicle leaving the area. He recognized the vehicle as someone who frequented the residence," said Nevada County Sheriff Keith Royal.
The vehicle, a white sedan, was spotted by a sheriff's deputy near Highway 49, and the pursuit began.
"The suspect drives around the vehicles that are waiting for the light to change, runs the red light and continues south of Highway 49," Royal said.
Deputies were able to use tacks to flatten Schuller's tires as he made his way on Interstate 80.
"Ironically, several times he pulls over and then takes off on officers as they start to come behind him," Royal said.
The standoff near Longview Drive continued for more than two hours until police took him into custody.
Neighbor Jim Deerburger says events like this aren't a true reflection of his quaint community.
"It's outside of the realm of what I would expect around here. Obviously," he said.
Police haven't released the identity of the victim.
