January 27, 2012

Officer Involved Shooting in Galt

Shortly after 2:00 a.m. today, Sheriff’s deputies responded to assist the Galt Police Department regarding a burglary alarm call at a coffee shop in the 10400 block of Twin Cities Road. Deputies arrived at the location within minutes of the call having been broadcast.

Upon their arrival outside of the business, deputies observed a vehicle with its engine running, backed into a parking stall directly outside the business door. The glass door and window of the business had been shattered, and one of the deputies observed a male subject inside the business. One of the deputies responding to the scene observed a second male subject running westbound from the business upon officers’ arrival.

Two of the deputies parked outside, and proceeded through the broken door into the business. At that point, the male suspect behind the counter began to run toward the back of the business. Deputies directed him to stop, and the suspect ignored the commands, changing direction and running toward the front door and toward one of the deputies. One of the deputies, who was further inside the business than the other, observed an item in the suspect’s hand as he ran in the direction of the other deputy.  

The suspect was ordered to stop and show officers his hands, but he refused to adhere to the directives. As he approached the front door and one of the deputies, the second officer believed that the suspect posed an imminent threat with the item that was in his hands. The deputy fired his weapon at the suspect, striking him once in the upper body and once below the waist. Despite being wounded by gunfire, the suspect was able to run out of the business in an attempt to flee from the deputies.

Deputies chased the suspect, a 27-year old male, outside and were able to take him into custody in the parking lot. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene, and transported the wounded suspect to an area hospital. He went into surgery, and his injuries were believed to be potentially life-threatening.

Additional officers descended upon the area and established a perimeter as they searched for the suspect who was observed running from the business. At approximately 3:15 a.m., that suspect was found and apprehended as he hid underneath a motor home in front of a residence on a nearby street. That suspect, a twenty-two year old, sustained a bite from a K9 unit, and was transported to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. He was expected to be booked into custody on burglary charges after being medically cleared for incarceration. The suspect who was the victim of the gunshot wounds will be booked also, upon being released from the hospital.

Deputy Jason Ramos,
Sheriff's Spokesman