SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Police in Sacramento are searching for a suspect involved in a gunfight with a police officer outside a casino that left a bystander dead.
The Sacramento Police Department says the officer and two private security guards broke up a fight Sunday in the casino’s parking lot between two groups of adult men. The two groups dispersed in different directions but as they were leaving, a man pulled out a gun and began shooting toward the opposite group.
The department says the officer drew his weapon and fired multiple rounds at the armed gunman, who then began shooting at the officer.
It says the officer took cover behind a car and exchanged fire with the suspect until he fled area.
The officer was not injured but a 36-year-old man outside the business was critically wounded and died later at a hospital.
Officials say a preliminary investigation suggests that the victim was hit by gunfire from someone other than the officer.
The officer is a 20-year veteran of the department and was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.