Crime, police and fire stories: November - Hanford Sentinel

A multi-agency police chase across Kings County led to an officer-involved shooting, leaving the suspect dead and a K-9 injured.

On Sunday at about 2:34 p.m., the Lemoore Police Department responded to a shots fired call in the 600 block of Cabrillo Street.

Upon arrival, officers said they found Danielle Christina Jones, 43, dead and having been shot multiple times.

The Lemoore officers identified the suspect as 43-year-old Juan Luis Castro and also identified the vehicle Castro was driving when he left the scene.

Authorities said Castro had previously been arrested in Kings County for weapons, narcotic and traffic offenses.

At about 3:45 p.m., officers from the Hanford Police Department said they located Castro’s car in the area of Hanford-Armona Road and Irwin Street.

Officers from the Hanford Police Department attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle driver led them on a pursuit, police said.

During the pursuit, officials said Hanford officers requested assistance from California Highway Patrol Officers in the area, along with a CHP helicopter from Fresno.

This pursuit lasted about 10 minutes and Castro’s car was finally stopped on Ninth Avenue about 100 yards south of Jersey Avenue, police said. CHP officers assisted the Hanford Police Department with the pursuit.

Officials said Hanford officers requested canine assistance from the Kings County Sheriff's Office, and the officers and deputies began to give several commands to Castro ordering him to surrender.

Authorities said Castro refused to comply with the orders.

Kings County Sheriff's K-9, Dash, and his handler began to approach Castro’s vehicle in order to apprehend him, officials said. They said Castro was the only person in the car and was sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle with the door open.

As Dash and his handler approached the car and Castro, authorities said Castro raised a handgun and fired toward the deputy. The deputy, along with another deputy and a Hanford officer returned fire.

The suspect was shot and died at the scene, police said.

Officials said at least one round was fired by Castro and approximately nine shots were fired between the deputies and officer.

Dash was also struck by gunfire.

The California Highway Patrol transported both Dash and his handler to an emergency veterinarian in Fresno, officials said.

Deputies said Dash went into surgery overnight and had bullet fragments removed from his leg. He is currently recovering at this time.

Officials from the Sheriff’s Office said they would also like to extend their gratitude to the CHP and the Fresno Police Department, who helped get Dash the care he needed.

The Kings County Sheriff's Office, Hanford Police and Lemoore Police said they have been working collaboratively on this entire incident, since it transcended three different policing jurisdictions.

Authorities said the officer-involved shooting portion of the investigation is being handled by the multi-agency Critical Incident Team.

Anyone who may have witnessed a portion of the incident or who may have additional information is encouraged to contact Kings County Sheriff's Office at 584-1431 or the Hanford Police Department at 585-2540.

Let's block ads! (Why?)