Officer dies during investigation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — One lawenforcement officer was killed and two others wounded when a gunman carrying a high-powered rifle shot through the door of his hotel room, then leapt out over a balcony and led police on a brief chase.
He was captured minutes later and was wounded by responding officers Wednesday.
Hotel guests were trapped in their rooms for most of the day as police methodically cleared the area and confirmed no other gunmen stayed behind in the hotel room.
Deputy Robert French, a 21-year veteran of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, died from a gunshot wound to his side, Sheriff Scott Jones said.
“It was an extremely dynamic, horrific series of events,” Jones said.
The day began with a routine investigation by a car-theft task force involving officers from multiple agencies. Investigators suspected a car-theft ring was being run out of a Sacramento Ramada Inn.
Two women who got into a stolen vehicle were chased for 30 km before being apprehended in Elk Grove, south of Sacramento. Arresting officers learned they were staying at a room in the Ramada Inn.
When officers knocked on the door, a gunman opened fire through the door and walls, striking two California Highway Patrol officers before turning to the balcony, shooting French, who was outside monitoring the back door, and fleeing. He was found with a rifle and high-capacity magazine, which are illegal to purchase in California, sheriff ’s Sgt. Tony Turnbull said.
The names of the wounded officers were not released. Jones said they were taken to a hospital and expected to survive.
It’s unclear why the suspects responded so aggressively when police arrived, Turnbull said.
“Maybe that will come out in the investigation. Maybe we’ll never know,” Turnbull said. “Either way, it’s irrational.”
The sheriff described French, 52, as a well-known, well-respected officer. He trained new officers and was a “go-to guy for advice and counsel, not just career advice but tactical advice and things like that,” Jones said.