Wanted suspect dies after exchange of gunfire in North Fork

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A wanted murder suspect has died after an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement in North Fork, according to the Madera County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies spent Monday morning searching for 28-year-old Brandunn Wilson, who was wanted in connection to a deadly shooting earlier this month.

Wilson was accused of killing a 38-year-old man after some sort of dispute.

Detectives say they first spotted Wilson leaving a residence in Fresno he's known to frequent and tried to contact him.

Authorities say Wilson refused to stop, leading to a pursuit that reached more than 100 miles per hour.

Out of concern for public safety, deputies stopped following Wilson and a helicopter from the Fresno County Sheriff's Office continued to track him from the sky.

Around 10 am, deputies say Wilson stopped just southeast of North Fork, got out of his car, and ran into the wooded area.

The Madera County Regional SWAT team was brought in and directed to where Wilson was hiding.

Investigators confirm Wilson has died after an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement.

During the search for Wilson, officials issued a shelter-in-place order for residents in the area.

People were told to avoid Tera Tera Ranch Road and Saginaw Road because of increased law enforcement activity.

Some Chawanakee Unified schools were also placed on brief lockdowns.

Authorities have not yet confirmed how Wilson died.

Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue did not disclose how many officers fired their weapons but said no deputies were injured in the exchange.

Any deputies who fired their weapon will be placed on routine administrative leave.

Around 2:30 pm, the sheriff's office lifted the shelter in place, saying the area is now safe and the public can resume normal activity.

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