Officer Involved Shooting Reported in Pixley
The normal quiet town of Pixley erupted Tuesday afternoon when at around 3:14 p.m. when Tulare County Sheriff’s received a call that there was an officer involved shooting in the Pixley area. When detectives arrived to investigate, they discovered that the Tulare County Area Regional Gang Enforcement team had received a tip about a wanted felon who was in the area. Gang Enforcement team members tried to make contact with the suspect, who fled on foot to a dirt lot near Center and Allen Streets in Pixley.
Cecil Ray Elkins
Cecil Ray Elkins, 32, with a nickname of “Tiger”, was wanted for two counts of attempted homicide, deputies said, from a case involving a stolen vehicle Monday, at which point officers tried to approach Elkins in the 1400 block of West Inyo Street in Tulare. Elkins, according to the report, intentionally rammed a patrol car with an officer in it and then attempted to strike another officer while on foot. At that time, an officer fired his weapon to no avail.
Because of Elkin’s prior violent behavior, the Tulare Police Department requested assistance from the Task force, as well as the Tulare Sheriff’s Air Support Unit in an attempt to minimize any problems while taking Elkin’s into custody.
According to the sheriff‘s report, on Tuesday, Elkins was spotted getting into the passenger side of a vehicle stopped at a local business. When Elkins spotted officers, he fled on foot.
An officer from the task force discharged his weapon and Elkins was pronounced dead shortly after. The officer, according to Public Information officer Sergeant Chris Douglass, worked on the task force as a representative from the California Highway Patrol and is a nine-year-veteran with the department. The officer was placed on administrative leave as is department policy.
According to the Sheriff’s report, the investigation into the matter continues. Anyone with information is asked to call 800-808-0488 or anonymously through the TipNow program by voicemail or text to 559-725-4194 or by email to tcso@tipnow.com.
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