A known white supremacist was killed in a shootout with police after escaping on foot during a traffic stop and ambushing them, CNN reports.
Deputies had tried to conduct a traffic stop on Christopher Michael Straub, 38, in Templeton, California, after recognizing that his vehicle belonged to a wanted felon.
Straub then ran through nearby vineyards to a cemetery before hiding and ambushing the deputies with a handgun, according to a press release from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.
It described how the deputies returned fire after Straub fired multiple rounds and hit one of them in the leg.
Straub then ran back through the vineyard while still armed and attempted to get back into his vehicle, where two other deputies intercepted him.
"The two additional deputies pulled up, engaged the suspect, who was still armed with a handgun, and engaged in a gun battle where the suspect was struck and pronounced dead at the scene," Sheriff Ian Parkinson said at a news conference on Thursday, as reported by The Tribune.
"He was known by us, he was wanted by us, and he was considered armed and dangerous," Parkinson added. While he said Straub was a known member of a white supremacist gang, he did not name one.
Straub had been booked into California jails on 28 occasions, including two incarcerations in state prison.
The injured officer, deputy Richard "Ted" Lehnhoff, 34, was airlifted to a local hospital and is said to be in a "stable condition."
ALERT: On scene of the officer involved shooting in Templeton which occurred this morning. A Sheriff’s Deputy was wounded and transported to the hospital. Suspect is deceased. This is an active situation. Please stay away from the area. pic.twitter.com/lNkBbe56gO
— SLO County Sheriff (@SLOSheriff) September 24, 2020
Deputies later discovered a stash of weapons in Straub's vehicle, including four assault rifles, one bolt action hunting rifle, one shotgun, two handguns, as well as the gun he used during the shootout.
"Straub was a known member of a white supremacist gang and a criminal investigation had already been initiated by the Sheriff's Gang Task Force when this incident occurred," the sheriff's office said.
"After a search warrant was served on his residence, it was discovered he was illegally manufacturing parts for weapons," it added, noting that it is illegal for felons to possess any weapons.
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