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California officer fires at suspect but kills bystander

Larry W. Smith/Getty Images

PARK CITY, KS - FEBRUARY 26: Police tape hangs across the street in front of the house that Dennis Rader lives in February 26, 2005 in Park City, Kansas. Rader is the suspect whom police have arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with the 10 deaths now tied to the serial killer known as BTK. (Photo by Larry W. Smith/Getty Images)

By: Associated Press

Posted at 8:35 AM, Aug 23, 2021

and last updated 2021-08-23 11:35:44-04

GUADALUPE, Calif. (AP) — A California police officer accidentally killed a bystander while shooting at a suspect. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office says the shooting occurred around 9:40 p.m. Saturday in the small city of Guadalupe.

The incident began when Guadalupe officers spotted someone with an outstanding felony arrest warrant. An officer fired his gun at the suspect but instead struck an uninvolved 59-year-old man sitting in a vehicle. Juan Luis Olvera-Preciado died at the scene.

The Sheriff's Office says the sequence of events that led to the shooting is under investigation by the California Department of Justice.

The felony suspect was arrested at the scene.

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California officer fires at suspect but kills bystander

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