UPDATE
Sheriff: Domestic Violence Suspect Pointed Gun at Deputies Before Fatal Interstate 80 Officer-Involved Shooting
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. (PSN)— The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office released new information Monday morning regarding Sunday's fatal officer-involved shooting on eastbound Interstate 80, saying the suspect was armed with a firearm and pointed it at deputies before they opened fire.
While the California Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting and will be responsible for releasing investigative information, Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper said he believed it was important to provide the public with limited additional details about what led deputies to use deadly force.
According to the Sheriff's Office, the suspect was armed with a firearm and pointed the weapon at deputies during the confrontation, resulting in the officer-involved shooting. The Sheriff's Office also confirmed the suspect's firearm was recovered at the scene.
Sheriff Cooper said releasing the limited information is intended to promote transparency and maintain public trust while not compromising or interfering with the independent investigation being conducted by the California Highway Patrol.
The incident began shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday when deputies responded to reports of a battered woman seeking help in the 2200 block of Zinfandel Drive in Rancho Cordova. Investigators said the victim reported enduring three days of severe domestic violence at the hands of her ex-husband before escaping and seeking assistance from neighbors.
Deputies later located the suspect driving the victim's vehicle on Fair Oaks Boulevard near Kenneth Avenue. Investigators said the suspect fled from deputies, leading them on a pursuit that continued onto eastbound Interstate 80, where the officer-involved shooting occurred just west of the Antelope Road exit.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No deputies were injured.
The California Highway Patrol continues to lead the officer-involved shooting investigation. Parallel administrative and criminal reviews are also being conducted by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, while the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office will perform an independent review in accordance with county protocol.
Public Safety News will continue to provide updates as additional information is released.
ORIGINAL POST
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. (PSN)— A domestic violence investigation in Rancho Cordova ended Sunday morning with an officer-involved shooting on eastbound Interstate 80 after deputies say an armed suspect led them on a pursuit before being fatally shot.
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, the incident began at approximately 10 a.m. when the Sheriff's Communications Center received reports of a battered and bloodied woman screaming for help in the 2200 block of Zinfandel Drive in Rancho Cordova. As deputies were responding, additional 911 callers reported the woman was going door-to-door seeking assistance. A nearby resident allowed her inside until deputies arrived.
Deputies contacted the victim, who told investigators she had survived three days of severe abuse at the hands of her ex-husband. According to the Sheriff's Office, she reported being beaten, pistol-whipped and strangled until she lost consciousness. She said another assault occurred Sunday morning before she escaped by pretending to be dead after the suspect left the room, allowing her to flee the residence and seek help.
The victim told deputies she believed the suspect had returned to her residence and warned investigators that he was armed with a handgun. When deputies arrived at the home, the suspect was gone and the victim's vehicle was missing. A be-on-the-lookout alert was broadcast to neighboring law enforcement agencies.
North Patrol deputies later located the vehicle on Fair Oaks Boulevard near Kenneth Avenue and attempted a traffic stop. Investigators said the suspect fled, initiating a pursuit that continued onto eastbound Interstate 80. The pursuit ended just west of the Antelope Road exit, where an officer-involved shooting occurred.
The suspect was struck by gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. No deputies were injured during the incident.
The California Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office Homicide Bureau and Professional Standards Division are conducting parallel investigations, while the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office will perform an independent review. In accordance with Sheriff's Office policy, the deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Public Safety News will continue to update this story as additional information becomes available.