EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. – A sheriff’s deputy was killed and a person with him on a ride-along was injured after an “active shooter” incident in Northern California early Wednesday, officials said.
Two men were in custody in connection with the crimes, but the scene was still “active” later Wednesday morning, with a helicopter and large contingent of law enforcement in the area, officials said.
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office identified the deceased as Deputy Brian Ishmael. The agency said on Facebook the incident occurred in the area of Ridge Road and Mount Aukum Road in the unincorporated community of Somerset, located about 60 miles east of Sacramento.
“It is with an extremely heavy heart that we announce that we lost a deputy in the line of duty this morning,” the department said.
The deputy was responding to an unspecified call for service when he and the other person with him received gunfire by an unknown number of suspects, according to police.
“Their condition is unknown at this time,” police said of the injured person. Officials did not identify the ride-along who was also victimized.
An officer from nearby Placerville Police Department could be seen in a video from FOX40 standing with his weapon drawn along a roadway near the location of the crimes. The homicide remains under investigation by law enforcement.
“We ask that you please remain out of this area,” authorities said. “Residents, we ask that you remain vigilant and call 911 for any suspicious activity.”
Ishmael is described as a four-year veteran with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office who previously worked for the Placerville Police Department.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends,” police said.
A video posted by the department to Facebook showed the procession for the deputy on an area roadway.
Working in law enforcement is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. To date, 100 officers have died in the line of duty this year, with causes running the gamut from vehicular fatalities and medical emergencies to homicides, according to data from the Officer Down Memorial Page.
