May 7, 2021 - The Calaveras County Sheriff's Office reports on Thursday,  May 6, 2021, at about 10:39 P.M. the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Communication/Dispatch Center received a 911 call regarding a male and female in an argument at the Sierra Inn Motel, San Andreas California. The reporting party stated a male pointed a firearm at the female victim's head. Deputies were dispatched to investigate however, the suspect left before their arrival.

Deputies initiated a domestic violence investigation and began searching the area for the suspect. A deputy was interviewing the victim in the 500 block of Lewis Ave., San Andreas near the Diamond Place Apartment Complex when the suspect ambushed the deputy and victim. During the ambush, the suspect shot the deputy in the upper body. The deputy was able to get the victim to safety.

Additional deputies, California Highway Patrol Officers and the Angels Police Department responded to the scene and began searching the apartment complex for the suspect. While searching, the suspect emerged from an apartment holding, what appears at this point, to be an uninvolved elderly female hostage with a firearm. The deputies attempted de-escalation tactics and attempted talk the suspect into releasing the hostage. Unfortunately, the suspect refused commands and posed an immediate threat to the victim. Shots were fired and the suspect was struck. The hostage was also struck by gunfire. Deputies administered first aid to the suspect and hostage until fire and emergency medical personnel arrived on scene. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. The female hostage was transported by air ambulance to a regional trauma center for further treatment.

The original deputy who was struck by gunfire was also transported by air to a regional trauma center for treatment.

A multi-agency officer involved shooting protocol investigation is being conducted by the Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office, Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, and Angels Camp Police Department.

Both the deputy sheriff who was shot by the suspect and the hostage are expected to survive. Both are currently hospitalized.

At this time we are in the early stages of the investigation, and more information will become available as the investigation progresses.
Calaveras County Sheriff's Office