April 6, 2018 – Yuba County Sheriff’s Department and the Marysville Police Department were involved in an Officer Involved Shooting this morning just after 2:30am during a vehicle pursuit that began in the City of Wheatland at 2:24am and terminated in the City of Marysville.
The incident began when Wheatland Police Department made a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding at approximately 90 mph into the city of Wheatland. As the Wheatland Officer got behind the vehicle to conduct the stop, the suspect turned off his vehicle lights and continued northbound, eventually yielding to the initial traffic stop. The officer approached the vehicle and could smell a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the vehicle as he contacted the driver. After presenting his ID to the officer, the driver became uncooperative and fled northbound in his vehicle on Hwy 65 towards Marysville. A pursuit ensued by Wheatland Police, and Yuba County Sheriff joined the pursuit as it entered the county. YCSO set up spike strips at Hwy 65 and Forty Mile Rd which we believe were struck by the suspect vehicle, however were unsuccessful in disabling the vehicle as it continued north bound.
California Highway Patrol and Marysville Police joined the pursuit as the suspect vehicle approached the city of Marysville. Marysville Police Officers deployed additional spike strips as the vehicle entered the city, which disabled the suspect vehicle and eventually came to a stop at E St. and 6Th St. in Marysville.
At this time, Yuba County Sheriff, Marysville Police, Wheatland Police and CHP conducted a felony stop and made commands to the driver to exit the vehicle and surrender. After the suspect refused to comply with orders, officers approached the vehicle and deployed a Yuba County Sheriff Canine into the vehicle to attempt to take the suspect into custody. The suspect then produced a handgun and opened fire, striking the canine in the neck. It was at that time officers returned fire, striking the suspect. No other officers were injured. The suspect was then removed from the vehicle and CPR was initiated immediately by officers on scene and continued until medical arrived and took over. Despite life saving measures, the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Yuba Sutter Officer Involved Investigation Team is investigating the shooting. The identity of the suspect is pending confirmation and notification of next of kin. The injured Sheriff Canine is being evaluated and treated at a local veterinary hospital for a gunshot wound to the neck. We will provide additional details as they become available.