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MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CRIME & JUSTICE

California ambush: Deputy dead, two officers hurt in bid to arrest Air Force sergeant carrying loads of IEDs

It is believed that the sheriff's deputies 'interrupted something big that was about to happen'
PUBLISHED JUN 7, 2020
Damon Gutzwiller (Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office)
Damon Gutzwiller (Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office)

SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA: A Santa Cruz County deputy was reportedly killed during gunfire after an ambush on Saturday, June 6. The incident also resulted in two other officers being injured, Sheriff Jim Hart said. The sheriff's office received a report around 1.30 pm of a suspicious van on a turnout at Jamison Creek Road near Ben Lomond. According to the caller, there were bomb-making devices and guns inside the vehicle.

The vehicle began to leave as deputies arrived at the scene and they followed the van. Shortly after, the van pulled into a driveway on Waldeberg Drive where the officers were ambushed with gunfire and multiple improvised explosives, Hart added. The ambush resulted in the death of 38-year-old Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller who was shot at the scene and was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Two other officers were also injured in the ambush. One of them was either struck by gunshot or shrapnel from the explosives and then by the getaway vehicle, and the other was shot in the hand. 

Hart addressed a news conference later, saying: "In my 32-year career, this is the worst day I've ever experienced. Words cannot express the pain we feel for Damon and his family. He was the kind of person we all hope to be. Today, we lost a hero. We are grateful to have known him and we mourn with his family." 

Gutzwiller, survived by his pregnant wife and a child, worked for the sheriff's office since 2006. Hart described the 38-year-old as a courageous, intelligent, sensitive and caring man.

The suspect in the case, identified as 32-year-old Steven Carrillo of Ben Lomond, was shot during his arrest and was transported to the hospital. Carillo is expected to survive and after his recovery will be arrested for the murder of Sergeant Gutzwiller and other felonies. Carrillo is an active duty US Air Force sergeant based out of Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield.

Investigators reportedly found many improvised explosive devices inside Carillo's home and the FBI has now taken over the cases, according to ABC 7 News. It is believed that the sheriff's deputies "interrupted something big that was about to happen."

Carillo, on May 31, had posted a meme on his Facebook page, saying: "I'll never let racist white people make me forget about the dope white people I know exist. I love y'all." He wrote: "The only race that matters, the human race." His post included first emojis of different skin tones, with both the "whites" in the meme crossed out. Carillo reportedly has two children. His wife, identified as Monika Carrillo, was a First Class Airman in the Air Force. However, she died in an off-base hotel in South Carolina in 2018.

Governor Gavin Newsom released a statement following the death of Sergeant Gutzwiller. "Jennifer and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller, who was tragically killed while on duty today. He will be remembered as a hero who devoted his life to protecting the community and as a loving husband and father," he said.

The case is also being probed by the District Attorney's Office and the Santa Cruz Co. is set to release more information about the incident next week.

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