SANTA MARIA, Calif. - At a 2pm news conference, Santa Maria Police Chief Danny Macagni outlined what happened early Saturday morning during an attempted arrest of one of his officer who was being investigated for an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl.
During the news conference, Chief Macagni said the department received information on Thursday that an officer on the force was having an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old girl. The investigation continued through Friday when they learned additional information that made it necessary to contact the officer while he was on duty at a DUI checkpoint and attempt to arrest him.
When they made the decision to arrest the officer, additional supervisors were brought in to help with the arrest. At the time, the suspect resisted arrest, fought with officers, pulled his gun and fired. Another officer at the scene was forced to fire his weapon.
The Officer/Suspect who was shot was taken to Marian Medical Center where he died from his injuries.
The information Police had about the officer and his sexual relationship with a 17-year-old made it necessary to arrest the officer on Friday night. According to Chief Macagni the Officer/Suspect "Knew we Knew, he was going to be arrested." The case is an ongoing criminal felony case. The Santa Barbara Sheri's office is investigating along with Santa Maria Police Internal Affairs.
The Officer shot was a four year member of the force, the officer who fired is an eight year veteran of the Santa Maria Police Department.
