Photo: Juan Luis Castro
KINGS COUNTY – Lemoore Police officers were called to the block of 600 Cabrillo Street at 2:30 PM November 26th on reports of shots fired. Officers found the body of 40-year old Danielle Jones inside her home. She had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died before officials arrived.
Interviewed witnesses reported the suspect, 43-year old Juan Luis Castro, the victim’s live-in boyfriend, fled the scene in a Dodge Charger. Lemoore PD alerted surrounding police departments that Castro may be in their area.
K-9 Dash recovers from gunshot
Hanford Police spotted Castro’s vehicle at 3:45 PM near Armona Road and Irwin Street in Hanford. Castro led police officers on a ten minute chase when they attempted to pull him over. California Highway Patrol Officers, a CHP Helicopter from Fresno, and canine assistance from the Kings County Sheriff’s Office were called in to assist during the pursuit.
Officers were able to stop Castro’s vehicle about 100 yards south of Jersey Avenue using “a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver,” reported the Lemoore Police Department. Castro was ordered to surrender but refused. A Kings County Police Deputy and his K9, Dash, approached Castro’s stopped vehicle.
Castro was identified as the only person in the car, sitting in the driver’s side with the door open. Castro fired one shot toward the deputy prompting that deputy, as well as one other deputy and a Hanford Police Officer, to fire back.
Approximately nine rounds, between the three officials, were fired at Castro. Castro, who had an arrest history in Kings County for weapons, narcotic, and traffic offenses and was the only suspect in the murder of his girlfriend, was struck and died from his injuries.
Dash, the police dog, was hit by Castro’s bullet. He was rushed to a vet and underwent surgery. He is now home, in stable condition, and expected to survive.
The Critical Incident Team, a multi-agency, is investigation the officer-shooting portion of this case.
If you have any information about this case please contact the Lemoore Police Department at 559-924-9574, Kings County Sheriff’s Office at 559-584-1431, or the Hanford Police Department at 559-585-2540.
