Elk Grove Police officer involved in shooting after SMUD vehicle carjacked

An Elk Grove Police officer was involved in shooting after a SMUD vehicle was hijacked by a Sacramento man. 

According to information released by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, the incident started just after 3 p.m. when dispatchers for Elk Grove Police and the sheriff's department received calls regarding a SMUD worker being attacked. The unidentified suspect, who was apprehended, smashed the windshield of the SMUD, a Ford F-550 truck, and took control of the vehicle.     

Responding EGPD officers and deputy sheriffs located the vehicle traveling in Elk Grove and the suspect attempted to elude capture. The pursuit lasted for several miles into the Wilton. 

During the pursuit, the suspect charged officers head-on with his vehicle, drove off-road through rural properties while breaking through fences and steel gates. As the pursuit continued to a dead end on Blake Road, the suspect drove his vehicle directly toward an Elk Grove Police officer as he was driving in his vehicle which caused the officer, fearing for his life to fire his duty weapon at the suspect.

As the pursuit continued, the SMUD truck became disabled and the suspect was taken into custody on the northbound SR-99 on-ramp from Dillard Road. The suspect sustained what are believed to be minor injuries from collisions during the pursuit. 

It is not believed the suspect was struck by gunfire. The suspect was later transported to an area hospital for evaluation prior to being booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail.

There were no injuries to officers or civilians during the pursuit. Because the arrest was made in Sacramento County, the investigation will be handled by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect has been tentatively identified as a 35-year-old Caucasian male from Sacramento. His name and photo will be released upon confirmation of his identity and booking into the Sacramento County Main Jail.

The officer involved in the shooting is a 19-year veteran of law enforcement and has been with the Elk Grove Police Department since 2006. In accordance with Elk Grove Police Department policies and procedures, the officer involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave.