Sheriff's deputy, 38, is killed and two other officers are shot in an 'ambush' after being called to check on a van that was reported to be full of explosives
A Santa Cruz County sheriff's deputy has been killed and two other law enforcement officers were wounded after they were ambushed and shot on Saturday.
About 1.30pm, authorities received a call about a suspicious van. The caller said they saw guns and bomb-making devices, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart told a news conference.
When deputies arrived, the van left and the sheriffs followed - they were then ambushed with gunfire when the van stopped and they got out to investigate in Ben Lomond, an unincorporated area near Santa Cruz, Hart said.
Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller was shot dead, a second deputy was injured, and a third officer, from the California Highway Patrol, was shot in his hand.
A Santa Cruz County Sheriff Deputy, 38-year-old Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller was killed by an improvised explosive device on Saturday during 'an ambush'
The suspect, Stephen Carrillo, has been arrested (seen above) and is now facing several charges, including murder, assault with a deadly weapon and carjacking
The shooting has shocked the small community of Ben Lomond, a town of about 6,000 people tucked up in the Santa Cruz mountains. Scene photo above
After Gutzwiller was shot, suspect Stephen Carrillo, confronted CHP officers and carjacked one vehicle and attempted to carjack a second vehicle.
'Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller was shot and taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead,' Hart said.
'Another deputy was either shot or struck by shrapnel and struck by a car as the suspect fled the property. We are hopeful the deputy will recover.'
Carrillo has been arrested and is now facing several charges, including murder, assault with a deadly weapon and carjacking.
He was shot during the arrest and is still being treated at the hospital.
The Sheriff's Department and the FBI are investigating.
'In my 32-year career, this is the worst day I've ever experienced,' Sheriff Jim Hart said as he stared a news conference
The Sheriff's office gave more details on it's Facebook site over exactly what happened
Hart said 'Damon showed up today to do his job, to keep this community safe, and his life was taken needlessly.
'Words cannot express the pain we feel for Damon and his family.
'He was the kind of person we all hope to be. Today, we lost a hero. We are grateful to have known him and we mourn with his family.
'In my 32-year career, this is the worst day I've ever experienced.'
Gutzwiller had been with the department since 2006 and was married with a small child and another one on the way.
The sheriff's office is asking the community to remain vigilant and is continuing to investigate if there are any others involved.
The shooting has shocked the small community of Ben Lomond, a town of about 6,000 people tucked up in the Santa Cruz mountains.
