Suspect who fired on police still at large, truck found after Blue Alert issued in Sacramento

Sacramento Police released new details Wednesday as the search for an armed suspect who fired at police in North Sacramento continues.

Albert Wheeler, 50, is still outstanding after he fired at a Sacramento Police sergeant, the department said in a news release.

Police said the incident unfolded Tuesday around 7:30 p.m. when officers responded to a home on the 1200 block of Rivera Drive to reports of a man brandishing a firearm and threatening suicide. Officers identified Wheeler driving a truck in the area, and when they attempted to make a traffic stop, he sped off.

While officers pursued Wheeler, a sergeant for the Sacramento Police Department returned to the home of the 911 caller, according to the news release.

By the time the sergeant arrived, Wheeler was heading back to the same home and the sergeant told the caller to go back inside for their safety.

“Seconds later, Wheeler drove down Rivera Drive towards the sergeant and his marked patrol vehicle,” the department said. “As Wheeler passed by the sergeant, he fired multiple rounds at the sergeant, striking his vehicle twice.”

A photo of the sergeant’s patrol car shows a bullet had struck the rear window on the driver’s side, shattering the glass. The sergeant was able to take cover behind his vehicle, and no one was injured.

After fleeing the scene, Wheeler was able to elude officers and is still at-large.

Wheeler’s tan Chevrolet Silverado pickup was found Wednesday abandoned behind St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church at the intersection of Bell Street and Church Avenue in northern Arden Arcade, approximately 1½ miles from the scene of Tuesday’s incident.

Chief Daniel Hahn said in a video statement he was thankful the sergeant had returned to the scene.

“Obviously, a lot of things happened that we’re very thankful for that prevented this from being a tragedy,” he said. “Our community members could have been shot, family members could have been shot that include juveniles, our sergeant could have been shot. We are very thankful that our sergeant went back to that house and was able to get that family to safety and was able to get himself to safety.”

The California Highway Patrol issued an Blue Alert for Wheeler late Tuesday.

Authorities described Wheeler as 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, bald with brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray tank top, black basketball shorts and black Nike-brand shoes. Photos of Wheeler included a recent photo and a driver’s license image from 2008.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office is assisting Sacramento police and the CHP in the search.

Authorities are urging anyone who sees Wheeler to call 911. The remains in effect for Sacramento, Yolo, Placer and Sutter counties, the CHP said.

This story was originally published August 5, 2020 at 4:07 PM.