The man accused of fatally shooting a Galt police officer before turning the gun on himself Tuesday has been identified as 30-year-old Humphrey Kenneth Gascon.
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department confirmed earlier today that Gascon was not the burglary suspect the officer, Kevin Tonn, pictured at left, had been seeking.
Authorities said Tonn was in the area of F and Third streets after a burglary was reported in the area about 11:30 a.m. He attempted to make contact with a man walking in the area, who then struggled with the officer before shooting him. The coroner's office this afternoon identified that man as Gascon.
After further investigation, authorities said today, detectives learned the burglary was allegedly committed by a family member of the victim, and that the suspected gunman was not related to that incident.
Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Ramos did note, however, that the suspected gunman matched the description of the burglary suspect and that Tonn was "doing his job well" by trying to talk to the man.
"Officer Tonn's investigation into a reported burglary made him cross paths with a guy who just happened to be in the area carrying a gun," Ramos said in a news release. "Unfortunately, this man took extreme measures to try to avoid arrest, which would have likely happened had he been found in possession of the weapon."
Tonn, a 3.5-year veteran of the department, died at Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center after suffering a single gunshot.
He was assigned to the Galt Police Department's K9 unit and was on patrol with his partner, Yaro, at the time of the shooting. He was 35.
The shooting is being investigated by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. The burglary is being investigated by the Galt Police Department.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.