California siege death toll rises to five as it emerges gunman killed sons, their mother and deputy

Three hostages, a gunman and a California sheriff’s deputy have died after a stand-off a home in Wasco, California, on Sunday.

Police were called to reports that a 41-year-old man, with a long history of arrests for domestic violence, had taken hostages.

Two women and two girls, believed to be family friends, managed to run from the house.

Inside remained the gunman’s two sons, aged 24 and 17, and their 42-year-old mother.

All three were killed by the gunman in Sunday’s siege.

Campas was a father to two young girls and served Kern County on Patrol, SWAT and Honor Guard

Kern County Deputy Phillip Campas lost his life during an hours-long standoff on Sunday

The SWAT team was on scene for at least four hours as the situation unfolded

He then went on to the roof of the house, and was shot dead by sheriffs.

During the siege, Kern County Deputy Phillip Campas was shot and killed. 

Campas was a father to two young girls and served Kern County on Patrol, SWAT and Honor Guard. 

He had been a soldier in United States Marine Corps prior to his law enforcement career.

The situation began when sheriffs were called on Sunday around 1pm.  

‘As deputies were en route there was additional phone calls with subjects shooting in the background and possibly subjects down inside the residence,’ said Joel Swanson, Kern County sheriff’s office lieutenant. 

Campas had been a soldier in United States Marine Corps prior to his law enforcement career

Two Kern County Sheriff’s deputies have been shot and a third has been killed in an ongoing standoff in Wasco, near Bakersfield, California

Deputies were responding to a ‘shots fired’ call on Sunday evening and encountered a shooting was happened inside a nearby home

Officials knew there were people inside, but they were unsure initially how many

When officers arrived on the scene, a suspect began shooting at deputies who were forced to take cover and lock down the entire neighborhood. 

A SWAT team was then called alongside crisis negotiators. 

Almost two hours into the standoff, at 2.50pm, the SWAT team were fired upon by the suspect as the officers attempted to get into his home. 

Two deputies were struck including Campas. 

Both were taken to a local hospital with ‘moderate’ and ‘major’ injuries. 

Campas did not survive.

Paramedics were on scene quickly to assist with the situation including injured officers

Law enforcement was later seen gathering outside Kern Medical following a standoff in Wasco

An honor guard could be seen outside Kern Medical as fellow officers stood and paid tribute to their fallen comrade, with many clearly upset

Members of the emergency services stood to attention and saluted their fallen comrade

Hours later at about 6.28pm, officers had a clear shot of the suspect, who was killed.

A third officer was also shot and injured during the operation.

The suspect was then transported to a local hospital while an honor guard could be seen outside Kern Medical as fellow officers stood and paid tribute to their fallen comrade. 

Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia released a statement, calling the incident a tragedy

The mayor also tweeted a message regarding the fallen Sheriff’s Deputy 

Slain Kern County Sheriff’s Deputy Phillip Campas is pictured in December 2019 as he received his award for Deputy of the Month

Deputy of the month in December 2019 was Phillip Campas who said to be ‘a shining example of a Kern County Sheriff’s Deputy’

Campas was also part of Kern County’s Honor Guard, who stood in line for him on Sunday as his body left hospital

A flag-draped body was seen being placed in a hearse.

Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia released a statement, calling the incident a tragedy.

‘While reporting to a standoff here in Wasco, one of our brave Kern County Sheriff Deputies was killed-in-action and another was shot and wounded,’ he said. 

‘Although this remains an ongoing situation, at this time I would like share that my heart goes out to the families of both the deputies.’

An honor guard could be seen leading a procession away from the hospital where the fallen officer died

Members from all sections of the emergency services stood by to watch and pay respects

Members of the fallen officers family could be seen walking away from the hospital

Relatives of the fallen officer could be seen being chaperones by members of the emergency services including the Kern County Sherrif’s  Department

Source: dailymail