The suspected gunman is dead. The name of the suspect and the deputy who was shot has not yet been released.
By Andrew J. Campa
Los Angeles Times
MONTEREY, Calif. — A Monterey County sheriff’s deputy survived being shot multiple times Wednesday morning by a man who barricaded himself inside a Salinas residence, according to authorities.
The deputy was involved in “a police-type action” at the time of the shooting, Sheriff Tina Nieto said at an early afternoon news conference near the scene.
Nieto did not disclose the condition of the deputy but said that “the deputy is out of the woods right now.”
“Obviously we can’t put out all the information,” she said, “but that person is going to be OK.”
Local media, including Salinas-based KION-TV, have reported that the deputy was serving an eviction notice when he was fired upon. Nieto neither confirmed nor denied the reports.
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“We’re not releasing that right now, but the media is already putting it out there,” she said. “We have an investigation going on, and the one thing we don’t want to do is put out bad information.”
The shooting took place near the intersection of East Market and Sun streets in Salinas in a commercial area that includes car dealerships, mechanics and parts shops.
The incident began when the Sheriff’s Office received “a call for service” at 7:49 a.m. One deputy arrived at the scene, Nieto said. At 7:56 a.m., the responding deputy asked for help, though Nieto said “it was not an emergency situation” at that point.
At 8:46 a.m., however, Nieto said, “shots were fired” and the deputy was “hit multiple times.” He was eventually transported to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas.
Nick Pasculli, Monterey County communications director, said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon that the deputy “was out of surgery.”
Nieto said her office was waiting to identify the deputy “out of respect for his family” but described him as 40 years old and a 17-year veteran with the Sheriff’s Office and a “dedicated professional.”
Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig said in a text message: “We are praying for our Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy. We’re hoping the active scene ends peacefully, and continue to prioritize the safety of our residents right now.”
County officials did not confirm the type of gun used. A local television station posted video indicating that at least a few rounds were fired.
Chief Deputy Eddie Anderson of the Sheriff’s Office said he was unable to verify the number of shots.
Anderson said there was a “huge law enforcement presence” at the scene that included the Salinas Police Department and the FBI.
Pasculli confirmed that the suspect remained barricaded inside an apartment complex as of 5:15 p.m.
“We’re trying to safely contact the suspect with no one getting hurt,” Nieto said.
She said her office was not releasing suspect information in the hope he would surrender peacefully. She said she would also avoid providing details about negotiations, saying only that the Sheriff’s Office would provide the suspect with “the help you need.”
Robert Tripp, FBI special agent in charge of the San Francisco field office, said the agency was aiding with crisis negotiators, a SWAT team and an evidence response team.
“We will be here as long as it takes,” Tripp said.
No other information about the suspect was available.
A shelter-in-place lockdown order has been in place for the immediate area since shortly after 9 a.m.
“I know that people are curious as to what’s going on,” Anderson said. “The safest place for you to be is in your home or the furthest away from the area as possible.”
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