San Bernardino Deputy Shot, Expected To Survive

SAN BERNARDINO – County deputies returned fire at a car after a veteran deputy was fired on and struck on Tuesday morning. The unidentified deputy, who has been in law enforcement for 24 years, is expected to survive.

The Deputies were ambushed while parked on Date Street

Two deputies from the Court Services Division had arrived in separate vehicles at a San Bernardino home to serve an eviction notice at 10:15 a.m. The apartment building, located on the 1400 block of Date Street, near Del Rosa Avenue, according to reports, was surrounded quickly by more law enforcement units.

“The shots came real fast,” said Corporal Randy Naquin. “The deputies weren’t ready for it. They were ambushed.”

It remains unclear if the shooters knew deputies were coming or if it was somehow related to the eviction notice they were serving. Three people were in the passing car when the shots were fired, striking the officer several times. Lt. Paul Williams of the SBPD said the injured deputy was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center for treatment.

There was return fire from both deputies, including the one that had been struck. The injured deputy was reported in stable condition after being shot once in the head, once in the arm and once in the hand.

Nearby Jefferson Hunt Elementary School was on lockdown following the shooting

San Bernardino Police searched the area past noon, seeking the people in the car. Nearby Jefferson Hunt Elementary School was on lockdown following the shooting, said police. A grey vehicle with bullet holes likely used in the shooting was discovered a couple blocks away from the shooting scene, on Elmwood Road, and one man was found in the vehicle. He was detained for questioning, but Naquin said the man had not yet been arrested.

Officers from other agencies, including the California Highway Patrol and Rialto Police Dept., were summoned to the scene as backup once word of the shooting was heard over the police scanner. Several heavily armed officers were in the area in search of the suspects.

UPDATE: On Wednesday morning it was announced that the Sheriffs had booked the man detained in the grey car, 33-year-old Miguel Alvarez. He is being held on suspicion of attempted murder while his two companions are still being sought.

Read More:

The Sun: Deputy shot serving notice at San Bernardino apartment complex

Press Enterprise: Sheriff’s deputy shot, expected to survive