CALIFORNIA — Massive multi-agency search for suspect who shot Kern County sheriff deputy. Los Angeles County Sheriff airship patrol helicopter crew is assisting.
Kern County sheriff Lieutenant Ray Pruitt said KCSO SWAT was fired upon about 820pm Saturday night while searching near Kelso Valley Road and Jawbone Canyon Road. The area is near Weldon, east of Lake Isabella.
Kern County Sheriff deputies were in the area searching for a wanted murder suspect when they were fired upon, and returned gunfire.
Several local reports have said Sheriff Donny Youngblood has identified Michael Booker and Jose Perez as the two deputies shot Saturday night. Booker was the more seriously injured of the two, and was airlifted to Antelope Valley Hospital where he is in stable condition. Perez was grazed on the ear but was not hospitalized.
MORE: Kern County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Ray Pruitt said SWAT team members were fired upon at about 8:20 p.m.while searching an area near Kelso Valley Road and Jawbone Canyon Road. SWAT team members returned fire.
The suspect has not been located. KCSD has set up a large perimeter and will begin searching the area. Bakersfield Police Department SWAT is assisting.
“We believe it may be the same suspect responsible for the kidnap on Tuesday and murder that occurred on Thursday,” Pruitt said.
KCSD is advising area residents to stay inside, and make sure doors and windows are locked. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Call Sheriff’s Office immediately if you see or hear anything suspicious, 9-1-1- if it is an emergency, 1-800-861-3110 if non-emergency.
