Former Pittsburg Detective Arrested for Allegedly Shooting His Wife
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An FBI SWAT team arrested former Pittsburg police detective Chunliam N. Saechio after almost a two-day standoff. Saechio, 40, who previously investigated domestic violence for Pittsburg PD, allegedly shot his wife.
Pleasant Hill police responded to 227 Cleopatra Drive on December 7 shortly after 7 p.m. The wife reported that her husband had locked her out. Officers found the woman suffering from a gunshot wound. She received medical treatment and was released from a hospital.
In a prepared statement Pleasant Hill police said. “She tried to gain entry to the residence through the barricaded side garage door. Her husband fired a single shot from a shotgun towards the door, striking his wife.”
Saechio stayed barricaded inside until the morning of December 9. He exited his home and surrendered himself to the FBI on December 9 at 7:52 a.m. The FBI SWAT Team was there to relieve Pleasant Hill police and the Central County SWAT Team, which had been monitoring him.
Before the FBI arrived on the scene, Saechio allegedly shot at armored vehicles and officers during a standoff with police. The local SWAT team backed off to de-escalate and monitor the situation. It was tense as Saechio’s 15-year law enforcement background includes defense and SWAT team training.
Police attempted to communicate with Saechio by phone and loudspeaker, but he would only communicate via social media. At times, his posts seemed threatening and at times his posts seemed suicidal. At one point, he posted a photo of himself wearing a ballistic vest and firearm strapped to himself.
Neighbors were told to shelter in-place and nearby traffic was diverted. After the standoff finally ended, Saechio was transported and booked at the Martinez Detention Facility. He now faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon, and attempted murder of an officer.
