Suspect Fatally Shot By Napa Police After Firing On Officers
NAPA (CBS SF) -- A suspect who opened fire on authorities in Napa while driving a car was fatally shot by officers in a deadly confrontation Tuesday afternoon, according to the Napa Chief of Police.
Napa Police Chief Steve Potter told reporters that shortly before 2 p.m., Napa police dispatch received multiple calls regarding shots fired in the area of the 2300 block of Bueno Avenue.
Both Napa police officers responded to the call and were setting up a perimeter around the location when a vehicle left the residence at the center of the reports.
"As the driver of that car left the area, he began to shoot at one of the police officers," Potter said. "Other officers in the area returned fire and the subject crashed into a tree and is now deceased."
The officers sustained minor injuries during the incident and were treated at the scene before being released.
The police chief did not offer any additional details in regards to what transpired leading up to the report of shots fired in the area.
The Napa County District Attorney's office will be the lead investigator into the officer-involved shooting, according to the chief.
Chopper 5 shot video of the bullet-ridden car after it plowed into a tree near Linda Vista and Roberto. Witnesses said the car's horn went off for an hour after the crash.
Sheriff's officials said shortly before 2:30 p.m. that Linda Vista Avenue was shut down from West Park Avenue to West Pueblo Avenue.
Students and staff at West Park Elementary -- two blocks away the shooting scene -- were put on lockdown and parents weren't able to pick up their kids until 3 p.m. after school had let out.
Neighbors in the area said the gun battle was terrifying
"Was watching TV and heard two shots down from where I live and I knew it was shots," said area resident Douglas Smith. "And then a few minutes later you could hear at least 20-30 shots; Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!"
"I was standing over here and I heard 30-40 shots and I walked around here and all these cops were just coming in," said neighbor Tony Sandau.
Officers said they have already started searching the suspect's house and will likely be on scene for some time.
Officers from the Napa County Sheriff's office and Napa CHP were also at the scene of the shooting. The investigation into the fatal officer-involved shooting is ongoing and authorities did not say when the streets might reopen.
