Suspect Killed After Shooting Fresno Officer in Bulletproof Vest

Update: 11:30 a.m., Monday, March 6:

The California Department of Justice is investigating the shooting death of a suspect by Fresno police early Saturday evening, state Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a Monday news release.

Original Story

A Fresno police officer was shot in his bulletproof vest in a shootout that ended with another officer killing the suspect at about 5 p.m. Saturday in northwest Fresno, authorities said.

Officials said that the officer was taken to a hospital for observation but was not seriously hurt.

The deadly confrontation began when officers tried to pull the suspect over near Shaw Avenue and Highway 41, but he sped away, according to Fresno deputy police chief Mindy Casto.

The suspect, who was not named, had a lengthy criminal history with more than 20 arrests and six outstanding warrants, Casto said.

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Police Helicopter Follows Suspect

A police helicopter followed the suspect as he cut off vehicles and ran red lights, Casto said.

When patrol officers caught up to him, they rammed his vehicle near Herndon and Ingram avenues. The suspect then exited his car and started shooting. Officers returned fire “and the suspect went down,” Casto said.

The investigation is ongoing.

It was not immediately known how many shots were fired by the suspect or the two officers. The suspect’s gun was fired at least once, according to the deputy chief.

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(Associated Press contributed to this story.)