Manhunt Continues for Man Wanted in Shooting of Two California Deputies
Several schools were closed and residents were advised to lock their doors as a manhunt continued Monday in a remote Central California community for a murder suspect in the shooting of two Kern County, Calif., sheriff's deputies.
Several schools were closed and residents were advised to lock their doors as a manhunt continued Monday in a remote Central California community for a murder suspect in the shooting of two Kern County, Calif., sheriff's deputies, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Authorities say the man, wearing military-style clothing, is connected to a four-day crime rampage starting Tuesday with a kidnapping near Twin Oaks, 20 miles east of Bakersfield. It continued Thursday with the fatal shooting of a man, and intensified Saturday with the non-fatal shooting of two deputies.
"This is an individual we consider armed and extremely dangerous," sheriff's spokesman Ray Pruitt said. "This is a person suspected of several violent crimes. He has shown he is not hesitant to engage law enforcement."
SWAT members from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and a helicopter from the Orange County's Sheriff's Department have been deployed to aid Kern County deputies.
Saturday at 8:30 p.m., the gunman fired at SWAT deputies on a remote property near Kelso Valley Road and Jawbone Canyon Road, Pruitt said. Two deputies –- Michael Booker and Jose Perez -- were struck by bullets. Booker was shot in both arms and Perez was grazed by a bullet.
SWAT deputies returned fire, but it was unclear if the man was struck, Pruitt said.
More Patrol

Team Wendy Introduces the EXFIL Endurance Ballistic Helmet, Engineered to Reduce the Burden of Extended Wear
Team Wendy has launched its EXFIL Endurance, a new lightweight ballistic helmet engineered to deliver protection, comfort, and fit during demanding, extended operations.
Read More →
The First Responders Children’s Foundation National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes Ceremony Returns to Times Square, NYC
First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), in collaboration with T-Mobile, will host the Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square to commemorate National First Responders Day on Wednesday, Oct. 28. During the event, FRCF will present 18 Hero Awards.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products for Law Enforcement Professionals at IACP 2026
Streamlight will showcase its newest lights for law enforcement at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference & Expo. Featured lights will include the TLR-3 X, the PolyTac 1X, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight Portable Scene Light III Wins 2026 OH&S New Product of the Year Award
Streamlight’s Portable Scene Light III has won the 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) New Product of the Year Award in the Lighting category.
Read More →
Adept Armor Introduces Two New Rifle Plates
Adept Armor has launched two new Level IV ballistic plates, the Emperor and the Archon Mark 2, which brings Adept Armor’s new Quatroid ceramic to the high-threat, performance-value center of the range at 5.2 pounds.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Benchmade Bailout
The Benchmade Bailout is a slim, lightweight carry knife with a deep-ride pocket clip and comes in a variety of blade steels and scales. Here is a detailed review of the Taiga Green Bailout, released earlier this year.
Read More →
NLEOMF Announces July 2026 Officer of the Month
NLEOMF honored a Michigan deputy sheriff as the July 2026 Officer of the Month for rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle following a Fourth of July crash.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products at National Safety Council’s Safety Congress & Expo 2026
Streamlight will showcase its latest lights, including the Portable Scene Light III and the LiteBox 1Million, at the 2026 National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo.
Read More →
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games Set for Perth, Australia
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) will take place in Perth, Western Australia, from Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 21, 2027.
Read More →
5.11 Partners with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Support #ForThe343
5.11 has joined the nationwide movement honoring the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
Read More →