Stanislaus County deputy involved in fatal shooting of woman in Ripon after pursuit

A woman was shot dead by a Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department deputy in Ripon early Sunday morning following a pursuit that began in Modesto, authorities said.

At 2:56 a.m., deputies responded to a 911 call on Sisk Road in Modesto. When they arrived, a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle was found on Sisk and Pirrone Road.

Deputies attempted to make a stop, but a pursuit followed. The driver headed toward Salida and wound up in Ripon near South Manley Road and Tornell Circle, according to department spokesman Sgt. Anthony Bejaran.

At 3:20 a.m., there were reports of shots fired. The driver was struck, and attempts to save her life at the scene were unsuccessful. The deputy was not hurt.

There was no information released regarding what touched off the shooting or the pursuit. Bejaran said more details would be available Monday morning.

Saturday morning, residents walking dogs or driving through found South Manley Road blocked from East Main Street to Tornell Drive. Ripon Police cordoned off the area and referred all questions to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department. More than a dozen emergency vehicles remained at the scene at 10 a.m.

A white Volkswagen coupe could be seen half embedded in the front windows of a home on Tornell Circle, between the front door and three-car garage. The neighborhood is normally very quiet, several residents said.

“That’s what’s so shocking,” said Stephen Burton, who lives about two blocks away. “We don’t even hardly get burglaries here.”

Investigators are still trying to identify the woman. Once she has been ID’d, and family has been notified, they will release her name. The name of the deputy has not been released.

The deputy was placed on paid administrative leave, which is protocol in officer-involved shootings.

Because the shooting occurred in its jurisdiction, the Ripon Police Department is conducting the criminal investigation. The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office will conduct its own review and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department have it its own administrative review.

It is the first officer-involved fatal shooting by a Stanislaus County deputy since 2012. It is the third involving a Stanislaus County law enforcement officer in the last month.

On Jan. 20, a Modesto Police Department officer shot and killed a man who assaulted the officer on Maserati Drive. On Feb. 15 in Newman, a police officer there shot and killed a man after responding to the scene on a report of a fight and guns in the house.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Ripon Police Department Detective Alex Burgos at 209-599-2102. Tips can be left by calling Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636, by emai at www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or by texting “Tip704” and a message to CRIMES (274637).

This story was originally published February 26, 2017 at 8:57 AM with the headline "Stanislaus County deputy involved in fatal shooting of woman in Ripon after pursuit."