Suspect dead, Merced County Sheriff deputy injured in Winton shooting
Officials say the suspect was armed with an AR-style rifle.
MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A suspect is dead and a Merced County Sheriff's deputy is recovering after a shooting in Winton Saturday afternoon.
According to Sheriff Vern Warnke, deputies were attempting to stop a pick-up truck at 1:20 p.m. but the suspect took off -- leading deputies on a short chase.
Officials said the suspect crashed his truck at the corner of Suzie Street and Walnut Avenue.
The sheriff said the suspect got out of his truck and ran.
The deputy started chasing the suspect. During that time, officials said the deputy and the suspect exchanged gunfire. Both were struck.
Deputies performed CPR on the suspect, but he died from his injuries at the scene. Officials say the suspect was armed with an AR-style rifle.
The deputy suffered a gunshot wound to the ear in the exchange. She was taken to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
As is standard procedure, the deputy will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation
Samantha Arce lives right near the crime scene.
"It's just scary because it's like this corner is hot," Arce said. "It's always something going on. It's crazy."
The Department of Justice will be helping investigators at the crime scene.
This is the second shooting involving law enforcement in Winton this week.
On Tuesday, an officer from Livingston fired their weapon during an incident in Winton.
"Anytime we hear anything we got a duck down with the little ones because we don't want our kids to be hurt by anything," Arce said.
The Merced County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating that shooting.
Warnke pointed to state laws in Sacramento for the ongoing violence.
"They feel free enough to shoot at law enforcement officers, and today it's at one of my deputies," Warkne said. "We have a problem and the problem starts in Sacramento."
Anyone with evidence related to this shooting can submit it to the Merced County Sheriff's Office by clicking here.
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