Synopsis: Officer Involved Shooting in Delano
Details:
This is a news release of the Kern County Sheriff's Department.
Please do not contact the Sheriff's Communications Center.

Date:     Monday, April 14, 2008
Time:     9:52:14 AM
Department contact: Sgt Ed Komin

Details:
On 4-14-08 at approximately 1:52 AM, deputies assigned to the Sheriff's McFarland Substation attempted to stop a brown four-door Honda Civic for traffic violations near the intersection of California Avenue and
Robertson Avenue. Three Hispanic male adults occupied the vehicle.  The vehicle failed to yield for
deputies and a pursuit ensued.  The pursuit lasted for a total of approximately one hour with speeds ranging
from 50-80 miles per hour.  The pursuit moved north toward the city of Delano. 

During the last 20 minutes of the pursuit, the vehicle drove around the neighborhood encompassing the
streets of Belmont, Clinton, 15th Street and 14th Street in Delano.  While on 15th Street, the suspect drove the
Honda into the backyard of a residence, breaking through a wood fence.  Two passengers in the suspect
vehicle immediately exited the vehicle and ran north on foot, away from the vehicle. 

A Kern County Sheriff's Office canine handler was standing  behind the Honda in the backyard of the
residence.    The officer attempted to deploy his canine partner in an effort to arrest the two fleeing suspects.
The driver of the Honda Civic immediately placed the vehicle in reverse and quickly drove backwards at
the canine handler, striking him and causing him to fall onto the trunk lid of the suspect vehicle.  The canine
handler removed his duty weapon and fired several rounds at the suspect.  This failed to stop the suspect. 
The suspect continued fleeing in the vehicle, driving south on Belmont.  Deputies continued to pursue him.

When the suspect reached the intersection of 14th Street and Belmont, he came to a stop after striking a
patrol vehicle and a fence. Deputies ordered the suspect to exit the vehicle; but the suspect refused.  The
suspect turned his back towards the deputies and reached into the floorboard area near the passenger side
of the vehicle. The deputies feared for their safety and discharged several rounds from a duty pistol. The
suspect was struck and was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies, with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, Delano Police Department and Tulare
Sheriff's Office, established a perimeter and searched for the two suspects who fled on foot.  With the
assistance of additional canine units and the Kern County Sheriff's helicopter, one suspect was later taken
into custody.  The suspect was identified as a Hispanic male adult approximately 20 years of age.

Currently there is one outstanding suspect.  He is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5'6" to 5'8",
medium build, with a shaved head.  The suspect was wearing a striped shirt.

There were two schools in the area, Almond Tree Middle School and Fremont.  Both schools were
extensively searched by deputies and cleared. The incident did not interfere with school activities.

The Kern County Sheriff's Deputy canine handler who was struck in the incident was transported to the
hospital for an examination and was later released. His canine partner was not injured.  

The investigation is continuing.