By Tony Bizjak
tbizjak@sacbee.com
Bee photo by Autumn Cruz: Law enforcement officers search for a suspect that shot a Twin Rivers Unified School District officer; mug shot of Tyrone Smith courtesy Sacramento Police Department
Sacramento police late Saturday night arrested the man they suspect of shooting a Twin Rivers Police Department officer several times during a chase that followed an attempted traffic stop.
"We got him in custody," said Sgt. Andrew Pettit, Sacramento Police Department spokesman, referring to 32-year-old Tyrone Smith.
Pettit said the suspect was apprehended about 11:10 p.m. without incident on Branch Street, a few blocks from the shooting site.
Officers from more than a half-dozen agencies had combed Del Paso Heights on Saturday in search of Smith.
Authorities checked several "houses of interest" in the neighborhood where the afternoon shooting took place just west of Grant High School.
The 25-year-old officer, whose identity had not been disclosed Saturday evening, was in critical but stable condition after surgery at the UC Davis Medical Center, according to William Cho of the Twin Rivers Police Department, which serves the Twin Rivers school district.
"He has multiple serious injuries, but the doctors are optimistic he is going to make it," Cho said.
The officer was hit by several bullets from what police believe was a lone shooter after the officer attempted to pull a white sport-utility vehicle over on Roanoke Avenue a little after 2 p.m.
Police did not offer a reason for the attempted traffic stop.
The shooting occurred after a brief chase, first in vehicles, then on foot. The officer was able to radio in the suspect vehicle's license plate number before the shooting.
Police said the suspect had stopped his vehicle and was fleeing on foot on Branch Street, just south of Grand Avenue, when he turned and fired at the officer. Witnesses told police the suspect got back into the SUV and drove off.
Officials cordoned off a dozen or more blocks near Grand and South avenues throughout the afternoon and evening as officers from numerous agencies aided in a block-by-block search.
Investigators found the suspect vehicle hours later, several blocks south of the shooting site.
Call The Bee's Tony Bizjak, (916) 321-1059.
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