McFarland police give shooting play-by-play
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McFARLAND, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - A couple of weeks ago, the city of McFarland experienced a rash of car thefts. McFarland's police chief said his department started investigating immediately, and, when they found the suspects outside of Delano, a pursuit began.
Monday, a 25-minute chase involving McFarland police, the California Highway Patrol and a suspected car thief, Randy Ferreira, ended in gunfire at the intersection of 9th and High streets in Delano.
McFarland Police Chief Gregory Herrington said Thursday that at some point during the chase, the suspect ditched the stolen car, jumped into another car and reached down for something on the floorboard.
Herrington said that's when Officer Alberto Carillo ordered the suspect out of the car.
"And suddenly he decided to turn, and when he turned, Officer Carillo fired one shot, fearing for his life, because he didn't know what he had in his hands," said Herrington.
According to police, Carillo's shots missed the suspect, who kept running.
The department said Sgt. Mike Webber was on the other side of the chase, heard the gunshots and then saw the suspect running from a CHP officer who was covered in blood.
"He did not know who was shot, he did not know anything that had occurred over there other than hearing shots," said Herrington of Webber.
Herrington went on to explain how the suspect was shot by Webber, saying, "All of a sudden, he quickly turned towards Sgt. Webber, and with Sgt. Webber believed his life was in danger and returned fire."
Police said the suspect did not have a weapon.
Eyewitness News went to the intersection where the suspect was shot. One witness, who did not want to be identified, said the suspect had his hands in the air surrendering. Herrington said that was not the case and that the Ferreira's injuries are consistent with the fact that his hands were down.
The official investigation is still ongoing, while officers Carillo and Webber remain on paid administrative leave.
Asked if their absence will hurt their small department, the chief said, "We have enough officers to definitely cover the city, and we haven't fallen off as far as our shift coverage at all."
The witness Eyewitness News spoke with said they haven't been interviewed by police.
Webber has been an officer with MPD since its inception in 2010. Carillo has been on the force for about six months.
Monday, a 25-minute chase involving McFarland police, the California Highway Patrol and a suspected car thief, Randy Ferreira, ended in gunfire at the intersection of 9th and High streets in Delano.
McFarland Police Chief Gregory Herrington said Thursday that at some point during the chase, the suspect ditched the stolen car, jumped into another car and reached down for something on the floorboard.
Herrington said that's when Officer Alberto Carillo ordered the suspect out of the car.
"And suddenly he decided to turn, and when he turned, Officer Carillo fired one shot, fearing for his life, because he didn't know what he had in his hands," said Herrington.
According to police, Carillo's shots missed the suspect, who kept running.
The department said Sgt. Mike Webber was on the other side of the chase, heard the gunshots and then saw the suspect running from a CHP officer who was covered in blood.
"He did not know who was shot, he did not know anything that had occurred over there other than hearing shots," said Herrington of Webber.
Herrington went on to explain how the suspect was shot by Webber, saying, "All of a sudden, he quickly turned towards Sgt. Webber, and with Sgt. Webber believed his life was in danger and returned fire."
Police said the suspect did not have a weapon.
Eyewitness News went to the intersection where the suspect was shot. One witness, who did not want to be identified, said the suspect had his hands in the air surrendering. Herrington said that was not the case and that the Ferreira's injuries are consistent with the fact that his hands were down.
The official investigation is still ongoing, while officers Carillo and Webber remain on paid administrative leave.
Asked if their absence will hurt their small department, the chief said, "We have enough officers to definitely cover the city, and we haven't fallen off as far as our shift coverage at all."
The witness Eyewitness News spoke with said they haven't been interviewed by police.
Webber has been an officer with MPD since its inception in 2010. Carillo has been on the force for about six months.
Herrington and an officer identified by KBAK as Mike Weber had previously worked as officers in the Banning Police Department, the complaint says -- and KBAK has reported.
Both were fired because of an alleged coverup, the complaint says.
According to the complaint, Herrington was fired from the Glynn County Police Department in Georgia after he totaled a police car while driving drunk on duty.
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Ok, looks like it will be a bad shoot. The officer orders the suspect out of the car, and surprise, the suspect turns around, maybe to get out of the car, and of course the officer shoots at him.  Well the officer missed, how he missed is anyones guess, but he and the suspect are probably both glad he is a bad shot. The suspect know trys to runaway. I guess being shot at will have that effect.  Some where after this a CHP Officer got involved, and apparently, according to earlier reports, tried to taser the suspect. So I guess the CHP officer did not feel as threatened as Officer Carrillo felt, or how Sergeant Weber would feel threatened in a few moments. Now somewhere between the first shot being fired and the last shots being fired, the CHP Officer had a bucket of blood poured on him, because the sight of bloof scared officer Weber so bad, he felt compelled to shoot at the suspect, who again made another unwise turn. Weber was not returing firing, because the suspect was unarmed. Â
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The fact that witnesses to the incident where not interviewed by the police is just one of the many things that should make citizens start smelling the rotten smell of this play by play report. Play by play is write, what a load of manure.
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At least with the truth there might be some understanding for the lack of leadershiip, training, and decision making going on in the City of McFarland, but to make up a story like this to justify the departments actions is sad to say the least. In Anaheim a Federal Investigation has been called in to investigate one of that police departments latest shootings, which also involved the shooting of an unarmed suspect. The Kern County DA's Office should take the same course, if they can not see this mess for what it is. Â