Deputy fatally shot leaves behind 2-year-old daughter, pregnant wife, CA cops say
A deputy was fatally shot responding to a domestic violence call, rattling a California community, officials say.
Andrew Nunez, 28, died from his injuries in the shooting Monday, Oct. 27, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
“Deputy Nunez served with unwavering commitment, courage, and deep compassion for the community he vowed to protect,” deputies wrote in an Instagram post. “His bravery and sacrifice reflect a life dedicated to safeguarding others, even at the greatest cost. Such devotion will remain forever etched in our hearts.”
Fatal shooting
Deputies responded to a report of a man armed with a gun threatening a woman in Rancho Cucamonga shortly after 12:30 p.m. that day, the sheriff’s department said.
After arriving at the residence, deputies said they “were immediately fired upon,” and Nunez was hit.
Nunez was pronounced dead at a hospital after being airlifted from the area, deputies said.
The man accused of firing at deputies fled, leading deputies and additional agencies on a high-speed chase on the 210 Freeway, reaching “speeds of more than 150 mph,” the sheriff’s department said.
In an unmarked sheriffs’ department vehicle, a deputy used “a pursuit intervention technique,” which caused the man to collide with the vehicle and ended the chase, the sheriff’s department said.
The man was taken to a hospital, where he was in stable condition, deputies said.
Once he is medically cleared to leave the hospital, deputies said the man will be booked into jail on a count of murder.
‘Embedded in sorrow’
Nunez leaves behind a pregnant wife and 2-year-old daughter, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“His death has ripped another hole in the heart of America’s law enforcement who is left to once again mourn the loss of another fallen officer as a result of horrific violence,” Spitzer wrote.
Sheriff Shannon Dicus echoed the sentiment as he spoke at a Monday news conference, The Los Angeles Times reported.
“We’re embedded in sorrow,” Dicus said, the newspaper reported. “Unfortunately for our department, this has happened way too often. We’re going to do our very best to do the most important thing at this point, and that’s to make sure that we bring the suspect to justice and take good care of that family.”
Dicus commended Nunez, KNBC reported.
“He was a wonderful father,” Dicus said. “He was a wonderful deputy sheriff.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom offered his condolences to Nunez’s loved ones in a post on X.
“His courage, compassion and dedication to protecting others reflect the finest traditions of law enforcement,” Newsom wrote, adding that State Capitol flags would be flown at half-staff to honor Nunez’s memory.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson told KNBC that his office plans to file charges against the suspect, whose name has not been released, in the coming days.
“We are looking at this as a murder of a peace officer, which makes it a significant case,” Anderson told the outlet.
Rancho Cucamonga is about a 40-mile drive east from Los Angeles.
