January 16, 2025 – Calaveras County Sheriff's Office officials report that a person matching the suspect’s description has been 
spotted near Harding Road, Jenny Lind. Residents in the vicinity are advised to secure their doors and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. Deputies are in the area checking. The following information is updated from the Sheriff's Office.
UPDATE #2: The search efforts continue for the armed suspect near Buena Vista Court, Jenny Lind. Deputies continue to check the areas near the last known location and follow up on leads regarding possible sightings.
Deputies are searching for suspect Octavio Hernandez, a 32-year-old resident of Valley Springs. Suspect Hernandez (see photo) is reported to have stolen a vehicle in San Joaquin County and subsequently led law enforcement to Calaveras, where he fled from the vehicle on foot near Buena Vista Court. Preliminary information indicates that he is also wanted for the theft of a firearm and for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The investigation is ongoing.
It is important to remember that all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty.
UPDATE #3: Deputies and allied agencies have worked most of the day to establish a perimeter to contain and apprehend the suspect. Law enforcement is confident that the suspect is within their perimeter in a heavily wooded and steep area. With the support of mutual aid resources from neighboring agencies, law enforcement activity will continue throughout the night or until the operation is concluded.
UPDATE #4: In the late afternoon of January 14th, 2025, suspect Hernandez’s location was verified to be in the Calaveras River Canyon, South of Buena Vista Court. During the night, deputies employed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with night vision technology to continue to attempt communication with him, monitor his position, and confirm that he was still in possession of a high-powered rifle. Given the challenging terrain and limited visibility, it was decided to focus on ongoing efforts to communicate with the suspect and encourage him to surrender peacefully.
We understand this is a stressful situation for residents, particularly those near the incident. Please be assured that we are fully committed to safeguarding the community and will maintain a presence at the scene until the operation is concluded.
UPDATE #5: In the early morning hours, additional SWAT Teams arrived to relieve the teams who had been on the scene during the night. The three primary objectives of the incident remain valid: contain the suspect, communicate with the suspect, and arrest the suspect without incident. With increased light from the morning, the UAV teams were able to provide enhanced images of the suspect and his immediate area. Deputies delivered a cell phone to the suspect via a UAV. We are in the process of communicating with him for a peaceful surrender. So far, the suspect is not cooperating with separating himself from the firearm.
Update # 6: The Crisis Negotiation Team's efforts to resolve the situation remained challenging due to the suspect refusing to cooperate. The Crisis Negotiation Teams continued their efforts despite his resistance. CNT persisted in their efforts to get the suspect to move away from the rifle voluntarily. An arrest team began moving toward the suspect as negotiations continued. As the arrest team was approaching the suspect, the UAV observed the suspect to have a handgun on his person. When asked by CNT to disarm, the suspect removed the firearm from his clothing and refused to comply. He proceeded deeper into the canyon, making remarks intended to escalate the situation to a violent encounter with law enforcement. In response, the approaching arrest team stopped their advance to prevent any unnecessary interaction while maintaining visual surveillance from a concealed location. Despite the suspect's unwillingness to cooperate, the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) remained committed to seeking compliance from the suspect.
At about 3:25 P.M., the suspect chose to fire the weapon in his possession at law enforcement personnel located near his position. In response to this threat, the officers in the immediate vicinity were compelled to use their firearms for self-defense. Deputies approached the suspect and rendered aid until pre-staged medical staff could be transported via an on-scene helicopter to render further aid. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. We extend our deepest sympathies to all affected by this tragic situation.
We emphasize that this information is preliminary and part of an ongoing investigation. In accordance with department policy, the deputies involved have been placed on paid administrative leave. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office is committed to transparency and will provide additional details as they become available. The continuing investigation into this incident is being conducted by the California Department of Justice, the Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office, and the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office. This is an ongoing investigation, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Source & photo: Calaveras County Sheriff's Office
