Calaveras Deputies Use Deescalation Skills To Save Life

Kudos to Calaveras County Sheriff Deputies for saving a suicide by cop subject:

MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Sergeant Greg Stark 
Release Date: December 10, 2019
Release Time: 10:00 AM

Criminal Threats Arrest

(Burson, CA) On December 7, 2019 at about 9:15PM the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a person who reported that suspect Shane Smith (33 years old of Burson) made a credible threat to kill them. The reporting party informed Sheriff Dispatch that they were in fear of suspect Shane Smith and had fled the residence to a safer location.

Suspect Shane Smith also called 911 requesting deputies respond due to a homicide. Deputies responded to a residence in the 11000 block of Wade Lane in Burson to investigate. Prior to arrival they met with another reporting party who stated the suspect had been drinking (alcoholic beverages) heavily and was upset that his car keys were taken from him to prevent him from driving whil e intoxicated.  

Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies (including K-9) and additional units from the California Highway Patrol responded to the residence to contact the suspect. As they were approaching the residence they observed the suspect walking down the road towards their location. As the suspect approached, deputies noted the suspect appeared to be carrying a firearm in his hand while shouting at the deputies to shoot him. Deputies were able remain calm and used exceptional communication skills to interact with the suspect. Deputies were eventually able to talk the subject in to putting the firearm down however, the suspect remained hostile and continued walking toward them. Deputies continued their de-escalation communication, eventually taking the suspect into custody without incident.

Upon collecting the weapon that was discarded by the suspect for evidence, deputies learned the weapon was actually a pellet gun. The pellet gun had the orange tip concealed or altered thus making it look like a functioning firearm. Upon questioning, the suspect’s original plan was to produce the weapon in attempt to get deputies to fire upon him.

Suspect Shane Smith was charged with 422PC Criminal Threats (Felony), 417(a) (1) pc exhibit deadly weapon not a firearm (Misdemeanor) and 16700(a) (2) (B) Airsoft without orange ring or trigger guard (Misdemeanor). He is being held in the Calaveras County jail with a $50,000 bail. No further information is available at this time.