Suspect in shooting of deputy in Central Valley captured

Authorities have captured a man who allegedly shot and wounded a sheriff’s sergeant in Central California.

Merced County sheriff’s officials identified the suspect as Guadalupe Lopez-Herrera, 51, of Dos Palos and said he was taken into custody Thursday in Kings County after a nearly hour-long chase.

Authorities allege Lopez-Herrera opened fire on deputies about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at a home near the intersection of Eucalyptus Road and Highway 33 in Dos Palos, about 60 miles northwest of Frenso.

One deputy was hit by the gunfire. The deputy, whose name has not been released, was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said. The gunman escaped.

Deputy Daryl Allen told reporters at the scene that investigators were at the home to follow up on a domestic violence report involving Lopez-Herrera that had been filed over the weekend. Court documents show Lopez-Herrera has a history of domestic violence allegations.

“We had word that he was possibly hiding out at this residence,” Allen told KFSN-TV of Frenso.

He said the wounded deputy was alert and in good spirits.

Authorities say Thursday’s chase ended with Lopez-Herrera firing a shot at California Highway Patrol officers who disabled his stolen pickup with a spike strip. No one was hurt in Thursday’s shooting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.