Deputy Dies From Injuries In OIS Shooting; Reedley Officer On Life-Support.

Eastern Fresno County, CA- Fresno County Sheriff's Deputies are still on the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Eastern Fresno County, which killed one officer and injured three others Thursday morning.

The shooting occurred around 9:40 a.m. at a residence at 18276 E. Kings Canyon in Minkler.

As of 2:30 p.m., SWAT teams continued to surround the residence, where they believe the suspect is still located.

"We are working towards getting this resolved," said Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims during an afternoon Press Conference. "We will continue to investigate and try and make contact with the person responsible."

The officers had been assisting Cal Fire in serving an arrest warrant for an arson suspect, when the suspect shot two of the deputies.

Both deputies were taken to Community Regional Medical Center, where one was pronounced dead.

"This morning I had to deliver the message that no law enforcement leader wants to deliver," Mims said of informing the deputies wife of his death.

The other officer is said to be in stable condition.

Following the shooting, other agencies were called out to assist deputies, including Police from Fresno, Clovis, Reedley, Fowler, Parlier and Sanger. U.S. Marshals and CHP officials were also called to assist officers as the suspect remains barricaded in the residence. According to Fresno County Sheriff Deputy Chris Curtice, an excess of 200 officers are assisting on the scene.

The police activity caused CHP officials to shut down Highway 180, between Oliver, Reed, Piedra and Frankwood Ave until further notice.

A school in the area, Centerville Elementary, was also placed on lockdown Thursday morning. Parents were notificed through an automatic message to pick up their children, since bus services were canceled for the day.

Around 11 a.m. more shots were heard, which Deputy Curtice described as a "volley of gunfire." It was during this time that a third officer was injured. That officer has been confirmed to be from the Reedley Police Department and his condition is said to be "unresponsive."

According to Reedley City Manager, Rocky Rogers, Officer Javier Bejar is on life-support and is not expected to recover.

KMPH has learned that Reedley City Hall has been shut down for the remainder of the day to serve as a grieving center for employees and family members.

A fourth officer was also reported injured around 1 p.m. However he was not shot, and his injuries are said to be from broken glass and shrapnel.

At this time, the hospital is only letting one guest at a time per patient inside the facility.

While the suspect's name has yet to be released, deputies say the suspect has not been positively identified. The Fresno Police Department is said to now be handling the investigation.

KMPH has a crew on the scene and will bring you the most updated information as it comes into our newsroom.
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