San Joaquin County Sheriff's deputies took this rifle from a man who opened fire on them after apparently mistaking them for criminals.San Joaquin County SO/Facebook
A suspect search in San Joaquin County, California, nearly ended in tragedy early Thursday morning when a man allegedly shot at deputies apparently thinking .
The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office says, just before 1:30 a.m., deputies showed up at the Pick-N-Pull in Stockton to investigate an alarm. Three suspects were seen running from the property, deputies say.
Two deputies chased after the suspects, following them along the nearby canal. The deputies eventually took cover behind a cement fence separating a Buddhist temple from a home in the area, CBS reports.
Armed with an AR-15 and alerted by a security camera, a homeowner's grandson got in a golf cart and also started searching the area, police say.
The armed civilian ran into the deputies at the temple property – but apparently didn't know they were law enforcement officers. Before they could announce their presence, the sheriff's office says the civilian fired two shots at the deputies.
The deputies did not return fire and the civilian surrendered.
“We commend our deputies for their leadership and composure during this critical situation, effectively directing fellow deputies to their position while maintaining control under fire,” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.
“This incident underscores the vital importance of allowing trained law enforcement to handle dangerous situations. Taking the law into your own hands can escalate conflicts and lead to tragic outcomes. We are grateful that our deputies returned home safely to their families, and we encourage the public to trust and support our law enforcement professionals in their crucial work,” the sheriff’s office said.
The suspect was booked on multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, possession of an assault weapon, possession of a high-capacity magazine, and possession of a silencer, the agency said.
