The search for a gunman who shot at deputies in Lamont canceled classes for the day and kept many people from going to work. It started as a traffic stop and ended more than ten hours later with the suspect dead.
The manhunt ended behind a home on Bonita Road. Sheriff's deputies and the SWAT team were at the home all day, while most of the surrounding neighborhood was blocked off.
It started with a traffic stop around 10 p.m. Wednesday and ended with gunfire and a Lamont neighborhood in lockdown.
A Lamont Sheriff's deputy pulled over a driver in the east alley of Main Street at Bonita Road.
"The vehicle was driven by a Hispanic male adult, approximately 20 years of age. The subject immediately exited the vehicle and the deputy began to pursue the subject," said Commander Dan Leper, Kern County Sheriff's Department.
During the chase, investigators say the man shot at the deputy at least once. The deputy wasn't hit and didn't fire back, according to the Sheriff's Department.
The man took off, and the deputy called for backup. The SWAT team and a helicopter crew joined the search. Just before midnight, deputies found the man behind a nearby tire shop.
"The suspect fired a second round at the deputies. At least one deputy returned fire at the suspect," explained Leper.
Investigators say the man took off running into a nearby neighborhood. Just after sunrise, the Lamont School District canceled classes as deputies went door to door, telling people to stay inside and lock their doors.
Many didn't and came out to watch the search unfold in their neighborhood.
"All of a sudden, these two police officers with their guns out, just asked us to remove ourselves from the room, to take us outside," said Blanca Cruz. "Ever since then, we hadn't been able to go out or go to our jobs. We have to stay there."
As the search entered the tenth hour, Blanca Cruz said she heard gunshots. "In the backyard, all you could hear was thumping, like running, stomping on the ground, and the firearms going off until it was over," explained Cruz. "20 bullets went off and finally it was over."
Deputies found the man a few doors down from Cruz, in a shed behind a home.
"The suspect opened fire on the deputies. The SWAT team returned fire. The suspect received fatal wounds," said Leper.
People who live near the shooting were taken in a SWAT car to a nearby shopping center, then driven away in patrol cars to be interviewed.
"We don't know the motive and why all this happened, but it will be part of the investigation that follows," explained Leper.
Investigators haven't said if the man was shot to death by deputies or if the fatal wounds were self-inflicted.
His name has not yet been released.
