SLO Sheriff’s Office: Deputy wounded, recovering after exchanging gunfire with suspect
Originally published 9-25-20
by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office:
“The Sheriff’s Office is releasing new information in the officer involved shooting which occurred on 9-24-20 in Templeton. The suspect in that incident has been identified as 38-year-old Christopher Michael Straub of Templeton.
Straub had a significant criminal history having been booked 28 times into jails all across California including two incarcerations in state prison. Straub was a known member of a white supremacist gang and a criminal investigation had already been initiated by the Sheriff’s Gang Task Force when this incident occurred.
Multiple weapons were discovered afterwards in Straub’s vehicle including four assault rifles, one bolt action hunting rifle, one shotgun, two handguns plus the handgun he used to shoot at Deputies.
After a search warrant was served on his residence, it was discovered he was illegally manufacturing parts for weapons. Straub was a wanted felon and it is illegal for felons to possess any weapons.
The Deputy in this incident has been identified as 34-year-old Richard “Ted” Lehnhoff. He was wounded in the leg during a gun battle with the suspect in the Templeton cemetery. He was airlifted to a local hospital to receive medical attention. He underwent surgery on his leg last night.
He is recovering and is in stable condition. Lehnhoff began his career at the Sheriff’s Office in 2008 as a Correctional Deputy. He left for a job in law enforcement in Riverside County. In 2015, he returned to the Sheriff’s Office to work as a Patrol Deputy. The investigation is continuing. No further information is available at this time.”
