Another fatal encounter

A downtown confrontation Sunday night (July 23) left a suspect dead and two officers injured—the second fatal encounter for the Chico Police Department in four months. As of the CN&R’s deadline, authorities still had not identified the deceased man.

According to a police news release, an armed security guard clashed with a man at 601 Main St.—Mid Valley Title and Escrow. The guard shot at the man, who stabbed him in the arm before fleeing. Police Sgt. Scott Ruppel and Officer Cedric Schwyzer arrived at the scene, where the man had returned, and he slashed both officers in the face and neck. Ruppel shot him, and he died from his injuries.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey has asked the public for help identifying the suspect; visit the Butte County Deputy District Attorneys’ Association Facebook page for details. Meanwhile, the Butte County Officer Involved Shooting/Critical Incident Protocol Team has taken over the investigation from Chico police, who last had a fatal incident March 17, the shooting of Desmond Phillips.