Man shot in Pixley same man wanted in Tulare incident

The man suspected of ramming a police car with a stolen vehicle and then attempting to run down an officer Monday morning in Tulare was the person fatally shot Tuesday afternoon in Pixley, the Tulare Police Department reported.

The dead man’s name has not been released.

According to Tulare Police, information led them to believe that the suspect involved in the attempted murder of the two Tulare police officers was in Pixley.

“Due to the violent behavior of the suspect the Tulare Police Department requested the assistance of surrounding law enforcement agencies and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Air Support Unit in an attempt to minimize confrontation with the suspect or the escape of the suspect,” said Tulare Police Sgt. Darron Altermatt.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department reported the man, identified as a white male adult, was shot about 3:41 p.m. after he was confronted by officers with the Tulare County Area Regional Gang Enforcement Team. The man fled on foot to a dirt lot near Center and Allen in Pixley where the shooting occurred.

Tulare Police reported Monday that the man tried to run over a police officer and then escaped with his third stolen vehicle of the morning. Officers did fire at the man on Monday, but it is not known if he was struck.

The incident Monday began at 6:35 a.m. as a call of a stolen vehicle.

Police located the stolen van. Subjects that were located in the area of the stolen vehicle fled on foot. As officers searched the area, a suspect believed to be involved in the theft of the Chrysler van stole another vehicle and was attempting to leave in the vehicle.

Officers said as they approached the suspect in the stolen vehicle he intentionally rammed a patrol car that was occupied by an officer and attempted to strike an officer that was on foot.

Detectives with the sheriff’s department are handling the investigation. The name of the suspect and the officer have not been released.