A Nevada County man killed in a standoff by a member of the Sheriff's Department SWAT team has been identified as John Salazar, 53, a parolee with prior felony convictions on drug, weapons and assault charges, law enforcement officials said today.
The episode began as a domestic violence call about 12:30 p.m. Saturday three miles east of Lake of the Pines, Sheriff's Capt. Jeff Powell said.
After several hours of being unable to establish communication with the suspect, Powell said he gave the order for the SWAT team to enter the home at 3:30 p.m.
Deputies said the man, a two-strike offender, had a knife to his girlfriend's throat.
"There were a few things that the SWAT guys heard in that residence and relayed to us that created a sense of urgency" and the decision to enter an upstairs bedroom where the woman was behind held, Powell said.
"He said if the officers advanced any closer he would kill her," Powell said.
An investigation with assistance from the state Department of Justice has begun, Powell said. He said the officer who took the shot has been placed on paid leave, which is standard procedure in the case of an officer-involved shooting.
The woman , who was described as bruised and battered, was taken to an area hospital.
Powell said the suspect had recently been released on parole.
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