Sheriff’s Office: Calaveras County Man Dead After Ambushing Deputies with Assault Rifle
A Calaveras County man was killed in an officer-involved shooting after reportedly ambushing deputies with an assault rifle, according to a Sheriff’s Office press release.
Around 2 AM on Sunday, October 9, deputies had responded to the 7000 block of Gabor Road in Jenny Lind to investigate reports of a man recklessly firing a weapon. After arriving near the scene, deputies were reportedly ambushed by the suspect, with two rounds striking a patrol car. Officers took cover and established a perimeter to contain the suspect.
SWAT and crisis negotiators from both Calaveras and Tulare Counties responded to the scene while the suspect continued to fire sporadically from an unknown location, which was later determined to be a detached garage next to the main residence on the property. At one point, authorities learned that a child was in the main residence, and they were able to coordinate a rescue take the child to safety.
Despite attempts by crisis negotiators to resolve the situation peacefully via telephone, the suspect eventually ceased all contact and the stand-off continued. During this time, the suspect was identified by name and an arrest warrant was secured. It was also discovered that he was prohibited from possessing firearms, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Authorities eventually introduced chemical agents into the garage, during which time the suspect reportedly continued to fire at them sporadically from behind the roll-up garage door as well as a closed side door.
Authorities moved in closer, but kept cover and did not return fire until the suspect finally exited the garage. The suspect was struck by at least one round of gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The suspect was identified as 54-year-old David Arnold of Valley Springs. The investigation is in its early stages and remains active and ongoing.
