Suspect who shot Dinuba police officer identified, had warrants out for arrest, chief says

DINUBA, Calif. (KFSN) -- The suspect who was wounded after allegedly shooting a Dinuba police officer has been identified as 29-year-old Luis Manuel Piceno.

An officer and Piceno were shot right across from Dinuba High School Thursday night after police were called to a home about a man waving a gun at people.

Dinuba Police Chief Abel Iriarte said when his officers approached Piceno, they tried negotiating with him for 15 to 20 minutes before he shot one of the officers, and they shot back.

Piceno and an unnamed sergeant were taken to the hospital for their injuries.

Iriarte says that the sergeant is a supervisor with more than 20 years of law enforcement experience.

The four other officers involved are now on paid administrative leave.

Two of those officers are said to have one year experience each.

Iriarte says it's a small department of just 40 patrol officers.

Now, they're rallying around their injured colleague and providing support.

"People were at the hospital from the association, their friends, their family, of course, and as we speak, there's donations already, I'm pretty sure, in play. The Tulare County Sheriff's Association already donating money for the family just to provide a meal to maybe keep the family from worrying about that," explained Iriarte.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation into the shooting - so the chief couldn't comment on what the officers knew about Piceno when they responded to the scene.

However, on Friday, Action News learned Piceno has an extensive criminal history with several active warrants out of Fresno County.

That includes one in August of 2022 for Attempted Murder, Domestic Violence, Vehicle theft, and False Imprisonment.

Just 15 days ago, on January 4, an arrest warrant was issued for domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, vehicle theft, and criminal threats.

Piceno was also involved in a chase with Reedley Police in October 2021.

In that case, he was charged with felony evading arrest and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Those cases are still open.

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