Deputy Shoots, Kills Wanted Suspect Near Martinez

MARTINEZ (CBS SF) -- A man on a no-bail warrant was killed in an officer-involved shooting Wednesday morning after pulling a gun and firing on the deputy trying to arrest him.

The shooting happened in the area of Adelaide Dr. and Pacheco Blvd. in Vine Hill, an unincorporated community about two miles east of downtown Martinez at around 9:33 a.m., according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee the deputy had just finished up an unrelated detail on Adelaide Dr. when he recognized a suspect who was wanted on an arrest warrant walking along Adelaide Dr.

As the deputy made contact with the suspect, the suspect kept reaching into his waistband before running away from the deputy, said Lee.

"The deputy was able to catch up to that individual, there was a physical struggle, during that time the deputy continuously told the individual to take his hands out of his waistband, to show his hands," said Lee. "The struggle continued with the suspect pulling out a firearm from his waistband. The suspect fired one shot toward the deputy's head. The deputy took out his own firearm, shot at the suspect and hitting him as well."

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Lee said the unidentified suspect, a 41-year-old man from Discovery Bay, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man who works next to the shooting scene at an auto body shop said he was just getting his day started when he heard the gunfire. "I here a whole bunch of gunshots going off over here," said Rob Sadegh. "After that, I walk outside and hear a lady screaming."

Later Wednesday afternoon, a woman who identified herself as the suspect's girlfriend disputed the sheriff's office version of what happened, saying she was a witness to the confrontation.

The sheriff's office said the suspect has a long history of breaking the law. "He's had extensive law enforcement contacts. They include, drug possession, multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of dangerous drugs, felon in possession of firearm..." said Lee.

The deputy was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.