Suspect accused of shooting Fresno police officer hospitalized with self-inflicted gunshot wound
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto confirms the suspect accused of shooting a Fresno Police officer Saturday night has been taken into custody.
That suspect, 56-year-old Paul Rodriguez Cisneros, was taken to the hospital with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
That announcement came after hours of police activity on Sunday around the home where Cisneros was found, near Bardell and Vine avenues in Southwest Fresno.
The manhunt first began Saturday night near East Garret and South Clara avenues. Police went to a home in that area after a woman reported her husband had threatened to kill her and had nearly run her over with a car.
When officers arrived and got out of their vehicle, they were met with gunfire. A 26-year-old Fresno Police officer was shot multiple times in the arm but has since been released from the hospital. Chief Casto says he is doing well and wants to return to work.
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The Saturday night shooting led to an hours-long standoff with dozens of first responders from multiple agencies. A SWAT team rescued the suspect's wife and her 8-year-old daughter using a BearCat tactical vehicle but did not find Cisneros at that time.
On Sunday morning, a $10,000 reward was announced for any information that could lead to Cisneros' arrest.
Chief Casto also revealed the suspect left the initial crime scene Saturday night by driving away in a police patrol car as the wounded officer and a second officer took cover.
"Actually, he ended up taking one of our patrol cars. The officer that was shot, they barely stepped out of their car and hadn't even left its presence when they took gunfire," Chief Casto said, "And when they went to seek cover, because one had lost his gun and the other never saw the gunman, he (Cisneros) doubled back and took their patrol car and just came down the street here."
As officers investigated and searched for Cisneros throughout the night, they realized one of their vehicles was missing and used the patrol vehicle's GPS tracker to confirm his whereabouts.
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"We figured it out, it just took time working through the obvious chaos of a police officer that could've been killed," she said.
Chief Casto says Cisneros has connections to the home where he was found on Sunday, "We just knew that this was a location where he had contacts, so we knew it was a location to look for."
Around noon, authorities confirmed the suspect was at the home near Bardell and Vine avenues. A SWAT team was called to secure the area.
Authorities attempted to contact Cisneros for a peaceful resolution via phone and PA announcements to negotiate but were unable to do so. SWAT team members then approached the home, and multiple shots were fired.
A drone was sent into the residence, and authorities then made their way inside. That's when they found Cisneros on the floor with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.
He was taken to Community Regional Medical Center with critical injuries.
Chief Casto says Cisneros will be charged with attempted murder of a police officer, domestic violence, and additional firearm and violent crimes charges.
Fresno police say the neighborhood surrounding Bardell and Vine is safe, but residents should be aware that authorities will remain in the area as they continue their investigation throughout the night.
Chief Casto went on to say, "When someone attacks an officer, it is just like tackling society in general, and those individuals are very dangerous to the community at large and we take it very seriously, and we're never going to give up when a suspect injures an officer the way that this one did."
If you are the victim of domestic abuse, or you know someone who is, there is help available 24/7. In Fresno County, call the Marjaree Mason Center at (559) 233-4357. In all other locations, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.
