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Hostage Saved By Precise Shots Taken by California Law Enforcement
Published 3 years ago
The Calaveras County Sheriff's Communication/Dispatch Center got a 911 call reporting a male and female in an argument at the Sierra Inn Motel in San Andreas, California, at about 10:39 p.m. on May 6, 2021. During the dispatch call, the reporting party stated the male suspect, later identified as 47-year-old Mark Aitulagi Lavea was holding a firearm to the female subjects head.
When deputies arrived on the scene, Lavea had already fled the area, so they thought. As deputies began interviewing the victim near the Diamond Place Apartment Complex in the 500 block of Lewis Ave, San Andreas, Lavea began ambushing the responding the officers, striking one in the upper chest.
Officers from the California Highway Patrol and Angles Police Department were then dispatched to assist in the search for Lavea. As the responding officers surrounded the apartment complex, Lavea exited the front of one apartment where he was now seen holding an elderly woman hostage. Officers from all responding stations began consulting with Lavea to keep his hands in the air and to remove himself from the hostage.
Refusing to comply and causing an immediate threat to the elderly woman, officers began firing at Lavea where both him and the hostage were struck by gunfire. After striking Lavea multiple times, all hostages were safely removed from the situation. As for Lavea, he was provided medical aid but was pronounced deceased before medical transport arrived. Both hostage and officer whom were struck by gunfire were transported via air lift to a regional trauma center.