REDDING: Man fatally shot after firing at officers investigating domestic disturbance

REDDING — Officials are investigating after a man was fatally shot by officers during a domestic disturbance investigation, early Friday morning, Dec. 8. The deadly shooting happened after the man allegedly tried to flee from officers while firing at them with a handgun at an apartment complex at 2604 Wilson Avenue, between Shasta View Drive and Goodwater Avenue, in Redding.

Officials later determined the man who was fatally shot, who was later identified as Vernchoy Saechao, 22, of Redding, was armed with a .40 caliber handgun and three, illegal, high-capacity magazines.

After the shooting, Saechao succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, Shasta County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit Sergeant Brian Jackson explained after the deadly confrontation and shooting.

No officers or other citizens were injured during the shooting, which is being investigated by members of the Shasta County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit.

The incident began just after 2 a.m., when Redding PD officers responded to a reported domestic disturbance after a woman called 911 to report her live-in boyfriend, later identified as Saechao, had slapped her.

When they arrived, officers met with the victim in the parking area near the four-plex apartments where she lives with Saechao and the woman’s three children, ages 3, 5 and 8. The victim’s three children were at the apartment when the domestic disturbance was reported.

The victim told officers at the scene that Saechao had been drinking alcohol throughout the evening, was stabbing the walls of the interior of the residence with a knife and was believed to still be inside the residence.

As one officer remained outside with the victim, two officers made entry into the residence to locate and interview Saechao. As they were searching the apartment, the officers reportedly heard noises behind them, coming from the area of a sliding door that lead to an enclosed porch near the front door where the first officer was waiting.

The officer posted outside then spotted Saechao running from the apartment and alerted the officers inside the residence, at which time Saechao opened fire at the lone officer, firing “multiple rounds” in the direction of the uniformed official, according to Jackson.

“The officer who had remained outside returned fire, firing multiple rounds – subsequently striking Saechao as he was in the parking area of the complex,” Jackson explained.

After Saechao was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground in the parking lot, officers summoned emergency medical personnel to the scene and began CPR and lifesaving efforts on the mortally wounded suspect.

When paramedics arrived at the scene they took over life-saving efforts; however, Saechao died at the scene from his injuries.

Officials did not specify how many time Saechao was struck by the rounds fired back at him by the officer.

No other officers or citizens were injured by the gunfire, according to Jackson.

After the shooting, Redding PD officials contacted Shasta County Sheriff’s personnel, who activated the department’s Officer Involved Critical Incident Protocol and the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. They were assisted by detectives, investigators, crime scene personnel and members of CHP’s MAIT team.

“During the initial crime scene investigation, a Glock 22, .40 caliber handgun was found next to Saechao,” Jackson explained.

Investigating officials determined that the magazine inside the handgun was an illegal, high-capacity magazine, capable of holding 22 rounds.

“Two additional, high-capacity magazines, capable of holding 15 rounds each were found with Saechao,” said Jackson.

Expended shell casings were found around Saechao’s body that were similar to the live rounds found in the handgun in Saechao’s possession, according to Jackson.

Several hours after the shooting, officials were still at the scene searching for, documenting and collecting evidence and interviewing potential witnesses.

The three Redding PD officers at the scene when the shooting happened were all placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation is conducted, in accordance with Department policy.

Officials have scheduled an autopsy for Saechao for Tuesday, Dec. 19.

Although the investigation is being handled by the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, anyone with information about this investigation or who witnessed the fatal shooting is encouraged to contact Redding PD officials at (530) 245-6135. Callers can refer to incident file number 17-43262 and can remain anonymous. Those with information can also contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit at (530) 245-6135 or by email.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.