California Shooting: Police Officer Killed, 2 Wounded After Chase With Air Force Sergeant Possessing Explosives

A Northern Californian sheriff's deputy was killed and two law enforcement officials were injured Saturday near Santa Cruz, California, during their pursuit of an active U.S. Air Force Sergeant. The officers were responding to a 911 call about a suspicious van and were ambushed.

The van of the suspect, Sgt. Steven Carrillo, 32, was reported to have contained several guns and explosives.

As the officers approached the van, the gunman allegedly attempted to drive away but was pursued by the officers to his home in Ben Lemond. Approaching the house, the officers were ambushed with gunfire and explosives.

Police Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller was shot on the scene and later died from his injuries at a nearby hospital. An 18-year veteran, Gutzwiller left behind a pregnant wife and young child.

“I watched him grow into a great man and a great police officer,” Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said in a statement. “Damon will be deeply missed by this community, by this family, and by all of us at the sheriff’s office. His legacy will live on in the work that we provide to the Santa Cruz County community.”

A second deputy was injured in the confrontation, while the third official, a Highway Patrol officer, sustained a gunshot wound to his hand.

Carrillo was arrested as he attempted to steal another vehicle and flee the scene. He was wounded in the incident and was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a hospital. Hart confirmed that he would be charged with first-degree murder.

The nearby Travis Air Force Base confirmed that Carrillo had been stationed there since June 2018 as a member of the 60th Security Forces Squadron. A spokesman for the base told Mercury News that it would be investigating Carrillo’s background and administrative record. At the time, the spokesman claimed that he was unaware of any disciplinary actions on Carrillo's record.

It is still unknown why Carrillo was in possession of the firearms and explosives and what were his intentions.

“There’s a lot that we don’t know at this point,” Hart said. “I ask that the community be patient as we go through this investigation and the grieving process.”