SANTA MARIA - The family of a Santa Maria Police Officer who was killed early Saturday morning while his department was trying to arrest him is speaking out.
Albert Covarrubias Jr., 29, was an officer with the Santa Maria Police Department who was the subject of an internal criminal investigation surrounding allegations of sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old girl.
Officers tried to arrest him early Saturday morning near McElhaney and Broadway while he was on duty when he shot at them.
One officer, Matthew Kline, shot him back, hitting his chest.
"It's going to be a great loss to me because I love all my children with all my heart and a piece of my heart has been ripped out of me now," said Albert Covarrubias Sr.
He is demanding answers leading up to his son's death.
"They said they had all this information to arrest him," he said. "Why on the streets? Why there? Was it to ridicule him?"
"I'm hurt. I don't know how to take it," said Andrianna Covarrubias, his sister.
"My son was a beautiful person. My son was respected to everybody. My son was a hardworker," said Covarrubias Sr.
Around 1:19 a.m. on Saturday, officers attempted to arrest him while he was on duty when gunfire was exchanged.
Santa Maria Police said the officer pulled out a gun and shot at them when they tried to arrest him.
One officer responded by shooting him once.
Your Central Coast News obtained exclusive video of the scene early Saturday morning near McElhaney and Broadway.
Stay tuned to Your Central Coast News for the latest.
