California police officer shot during ambush

FRESNO, Calif. – A police officer was struck multiple times and his assailant was shot during a violent exchange of gunfire Saturday night in southeast Fresno.

The officer-involved shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. near the intersection of Tulare and Eighth streets.

Fresno Police Interim Chief Mindy Casto said the sergeant, who was in his patrol vehicle working a nearby homicide case, was “ambushed.”

Casto added that a man drove up next to the officer and opened fire on a parked police vehicle.

Despite the impact, the sergeant managed to call for help.

Responding officers and the injured sergeant engaged in an exchange of gunfire with the man shortly thereafter.

Casto said the man was fatally shot by police.

Meanwhile, the hit sergeant was sent to a local hospital after being shot multiple times in the lower body. Casto said the officer, who has more than 20 years of experience with the department, was listed in stable condition.

Police are still trying to determine how another person died at a nearby home in a homicide case the sergeant was working on. It was not immediately clear whether the dead attacker was connected to the homicide investigation.

This officer-involved shooting is the first this year.

The woman told The Bee she heard gunshots from her home and saw officers near her neighbor’s home with a gun pointed at the suspect.