One California deputy is shot dead and two others injured during hours-long standoff with gunman who barricaded himself inside building
A California Sheriff deputy has been shot and killed while two others have been injured at a shooting at a home in Wasco, California.
Kern County Deputy Phillip Campas lost his life during an hours-long standoff on Sunday.
Campas was a father to two young girls and served Kern County on Patrol, SWAT and Honor Guard.
He had been a soldier in United States Marine Corps prior to his law enforcement career.
His life came to an end when deputies were called to a residence in Kern County at around 1pm.
'As deputies were en route there was additional phone calls with subjects shooting in the background and possibly subjects down inside the residence,' Kern County Sheriff's Office lieutenant Joel Swanson explained to reporters.
Kern County Deputy Phillip Campas lost his life during an hours-long standoff on Sunday
Campas was a father to two young girls and served Kern County on Patrol, SWAT and Honor Guard
Campas had been a soldier in United States Marine Corps prior to his law enforcement career
Two Kern County Sheriff's deputies have been shot and a third has been killed in an ongoing standoff in Wasco, near Bakersfield, California
Deputies were responding to a 'shots fired' call on Sunday evening and encountered a shooting was happened inside a nearby home
Officials say there are people inside but it is unclear how many - possibly two
When officers arrived on the scene, a suspect began shooting at deputies who were forced to take cover and lock down the entire neighborhood.
A SWAT team was then called alongside crisis negotiators in order to respond to what ended up becoming a standoff that lasted for several hours.
Almost two hours into the standoff at 2:50pm, the SWAT team were fired upon by the suspect as the officers attempted to get into his home.
Two deputies were struck including Campas. Both were taken to a local hospital with 'moderate' and 'major' injuries. Campas did not survive.
Paramedics were on scene quickly to assist with the situation including injured officers
The SWAT team was on scene for at least four hours as the situation unfolded
Law enforcement was later seen gathering outside Kern Medical following a standoff in Wasco
An honor guard could be seen outside Kern Medical as fellow officers stood and paid tribute to their fallen comrade, with many clearly upset
Members of the emergency services stood to attention and saluted their fallen comrade
(2/2) This video shows the procession as the coroner slowly drives the body out of the hospital. pic.twitter.com/DjzosNlett
— Eytan Wallace (@EytanWallace) July 26, 2021
(2/2) This video shows the procession as the coroner slowly drives the body out of the hospital. pic.twitter.com/DjzosNlett
First responders are lining up outside @KernMedical to salute the flag-draped body of a fallen @KernCoSheriff deputy who was killed in the line of duty today. pic.twitter.com/oiDIKoF2Zj
— Eytan Wallace (@EytanWallace) July 26, 2021
First responders are lining up outside @KernMedical to salute the flag-draped body of a fallen @KernCoSheriff deputy who was killed in the line of duty today. pic.twitter.com/oiDIKoF2Zj
Hours later at about 6:28pm, officers had a clear shot of the suspect who was shot but a third officer was also shot and injured during the operation.
The suspect was then transported to a local hospital while an honor guard could be seen outside Kern Medical as fellow officers stood and paid tribute to their fallen comrade.
Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia released a statement, calling the incident a tragedy
The mayor also tweeted a message regarding the fallen Sheriff's Deputy
A flag-draped body was seen being placed in a hearse.
Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia released a statement, calling the incident a tragedy.
'While reporting to a standoff here in Wasco, one of our brave Kern County Sheriff Deputies was killed-in-action and another was shot and wounded. Although this remains an ongoing situation, at this time I would like share that my heart goes out to the families of both the deputies,' he wrote in a statement.
Investigators are actively working to clear the house and confirm the status of victims involved.
It's believed there may be be two other people who have been shot inside the residence apart from the suspect who has since been removed.
An honor guard could be seen leading a procession away from the hospital where the fallen officer died
Members from all sections of the emergency services stood by to watch and pay respects
Members of the fallen officers family could be seen walking away from the hospital
Relatives of the fallen officer could be seen being chaperones by members of the emergency services including the Kern County Sherrif's Department