One deputy was killed and another was wounded on Sunday following a hostage standoff in Wasco, California.
Law enforcement responded to calls of multiple shots fired inside a home in the area at around 1 p.m., Kern County Sheriff Lt. Joel Swanson said, according to the Los Angeles Times. Upon their arrival, a suspect opened fire, though no officers were struck in the first volley of gunfire.
Two hours later, a SWAT team attempted to make entry to the residence in an effort to free hostages, but the unidentified individual shot at them again, wounding two deputies. The injured policemen were transported to local hospitals, and one was in critical condition, according to Swanson.
IOWA DEPUTY SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER RESPONDING TO STORE BURGLARY ALARM
Moments after arriving at the hospital, one of the injured deputies, who has been identified as Phillip Campas by the Kern County Detention Officers Association, was pronounced dead. The suspect, whose identity has not yet been revealed, was also wounded during the standoff and transported to a medical facility. At least one other individual was present in the house.
The violent event drew the attention of Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia, who confirmed the death of the deputy but did not specify his name.
“This afternoon, I received news that every Mayor prays to never get,” he said in a Sunday statement. “While reporting to a standoff here in Wasco, one of our brave Kern County Sheriff’s Deputies was killed-in-action and one other was shot and wounded. Although this remains an ongoing situation, at this time I would like to share that my heart goes out to the families of both deputies.”
“Nothing can prepare us for tragedies such as these,” he added. “In an instant our lives could change forever. I pray that God surrounds these families with his love and give them the strength to make it through this devastating time.”
First responders were seen forming a line as the county coroner drove Campas’s corpse from the hospital.
(2/2) This video shows the procession as the coroner slowly drives the body out of the hospital. pic.twitter.com/DjzosNlett
— Eytan Wallace (@EytanWallace) July 26, 2021
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Campas was a Marine Corps veteran, a SWAT team member, and a Kern County Sheriff’s Office patrolman.
A motive for the incident has not yet been disclosed.
