Suspect shot after chase, gunfight with authorities in Merced County

MERCED COUNTY (KFSN) -- A police chase ended in gunfire and the suspect, 41-year-old Kevin Mayhew, was arrested after attempting to kill several officers and deputies in Merced County.

A police pursuit started in Turlock and ended with an exchange of gunfire near Snelling in Merced County.

A resident who asked to say anonymous, said he lives near where shots were fired, and says he heard it all happen.

"They all seemed to stop and gunfire erupted and there was quite a bit of it-- I don't know how many shots fired but there was many shots fired."

The chase started in Turlock after police say they were attempting to serve a search warrant for a homicide investigation.

Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke said they received a call from Turlock Police asking for their help in the chase when Mayhew started making his way down to Merced.

Deputies, Merced Police, and Turlock Police chased Mayhew until a spike strip disabled his car. They say he then fired at authorities using an "assault style weapon."

"We want to file charges for attempted homicide against this guy for everything he's done. Because he shot a lot of officers, including mine, striking one of my cars, I've counted-- four times-- he was very serious about not going to jail," said Warnke.

No officers or deputies were injured, but Mayhew did suffer minor injuries.

Turlock police are conducting their own internal investigation while the Department of Justice and Merced County Sheriff's Department investigate the shootout.

"Numerous weapons have been recovered from that vehicle-- including the assault weapon," said Nino Amirfar, Turlock Police Chief.

Authorities said all the officers and deputies at the scene fired their weapon, however, they do not know whose bullet hit the suspect.

Several agencies are investigating the incident but the Merced County Sheriff said they are focus is aimed at the shooting.

Mayhew remains in the Merced County Jail on $4-million bail.