- Lake County News reports
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Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputy shot by suspect; deputy in good condition, expected to survive
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office reported that at 11 a.m. Sunday deputies were dispatched to the Jolly Washer gas station/car wash in the 19200 block of Highway 12 in Sonoma.
A manager of the car wash told dispatch that a 19-year-old employee was acting strange at work and was told to go home, but refused to leave. The manager also said the employee appeared to have a BB gun with him, according to the report.
The sheriff’s office said two deputies, who are assigned to the Sonoma Police Department, responded to the call.
They saw the employee standing behind a gray pickup in the car wash line. Authorities said the employee was behind the truck and acting suspicious. The suspect then pulled out a handgun and fired at the deputies.
At least one deputy then used his service weapon to return fire, but did not hit the suspect as he was ducked down behind the truck, the sheriff’s office reported.
The suspect’s handgun appeared to have jammed and the suspect threw his gun down, at which time the deputies took him into custody, authorities said.
The sheriff’s office said the suspect’s loaded 9 millimeter semiautomatic handgun was retrieved and secured.
One deputy was struck by the suspect’s bullet. The projectile fired by the suspect was one that had multiple pellets, commonly called a snake shot. The deputy was struck in multiple places on his body. The suspect’s handgun was loaded with several more rounds of this type of ammunition, according to the report.
Authorities said the deputy was flown to a local hospital. He was reported to be in good condition and is expected to survive his injuries.
“We are thankful that our deputy is going to be ok and we appreciate the community’s support during this difficult time,” the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said in its statement on the incident.