CAMINO, CA – Two El Dorado County Sheriff’s deputies and a Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) worker were injured in a series of shootings Thursday in the rural community of Camino, California. The incident unfolded after the PG&E crew reported being fired upon, leading to a prolonged standoff and an officer-involved shooting, authorities said. The suspect involved in the shootings was too wounded and transported to a hospital.
The initial incident began at approximately 7:25 a.m. When deputies responded to a report of shots fired at a PG&E crew working on Mountain View Drive, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. One PG&E employee sustained gunshot wounds and was taken to a hospital for treatment. their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The situation quickly escalated as deputies arrived on scene and a SWAT team was deployed around 10:25 a.m. To assist in attempting to de-escalate the situation.
Approximately three hours after the initial response, at around 11:25 a.m., an officer-involved shooting occurred while the SWAT team was attempting to make contact with the suspect, the Sheriff’s Office reported. During the exchange, two deputies and the suspect were struck by gunfire. All three were transported to area hospitals for medical attention. As of Thursday evening, the deputies were listed in stable condition, while the suspect’s condition remained unclear.
PG&E confirmed it was aware of the incident, stating that a “contract coworker” was injured. “We are grateful to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office for their swift response to this incident,” a company spokesperson said in a statement to Fox 40. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1245 identified the injured worker as a union member and expressed relief that his injuries were not life-threatening. Bob Dean, the union’s business manager, stated, “We’re incredibly relieved that our union brother and fellow crewmember is okay after what must have been a terrifying experience. Our thoughts are also with the two El Dorado County Sheriff’s deputies who were injured while responding to the situation.”
The incident highlights the dangers faced by utility workers and law enforcement officers in the line of duty. Dean further emphasized the risks inherent in their work, stating, “These workers respond to outages and emergencies at a moment’s notice, often working in dangerous conditions around high voltage electricity, severe weather, and other hazards to keep our communities running. That work already comes with real risks. They should never have to worry about violence from the very people they are there to help. Unfortunately, we are seeing incidents like this happen more often, and it’s unacceptable.”
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has stated that the situation remains an active investigation, and investigators are continuing to process evidence and secure the area. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspect or the deputies involved, nor have they provided further details regarding the events leading up to the shootings. Fox News reports the incident began with shots fired at the PG&E crew.
The shootings prompted a significant law enforcement presence in the area, with deputies and SWAT personnel remaining on Mountain View Drive throughout Thursday. Folsom Times reported that the initial shooting of the PG&E employee occurred before deputies arrived on the scene.
As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to release more information regarding the circumstances surrounding the shootings. The focus will be on determining the motive behind the initial attack on the PG&E crew and the subsequent events that led to the officer-involved shooting. The community awaits further details as law enforcement works to piece together the events of Thursday morning.
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