Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating an incident that began as a report of an abandoned body in a remote area of Moraga and led to a chase and an officer-involved shooting in Richmond Thursday evening, police said.
According to police, a suspect’s vehicle was leaving the area of Pinehurst Road and Skyline Boulevard around 6:45 p.m. where the alleged body was dumped and failed to yield to patrol officers, leading police on a chase.
Because of the location in unincorporated Contra Costa County, Moraga Police, Oakland Police and Contra Costa County Sheriff's deputies responded initially. Richmond Police later became involved.
The pursuit, which lasted about 20 minutes, led to Richmond, where the suspect allegedly rammed a police car and an officer.
Authorities said the suspect then pointed a firearm at police, and officers opened fire, killing the suspect. The suspect's vehicle, a white van, then collided with an Oakland Police vehicle.
Witnesses said they heard several shots and saw the suspect barricade himself inside a building.
"It sounded like they came from different guns," said one witness. "Shortly after, I saw helicopters in the sky and police flooded 37th Street. I've never seen them come that quickly."
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Two officers sustained non life-threatening injuries.
It turned out the woman dumped and left for dead in the Oakland hills was still alive, police said. She was taken to a hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound and is on life support.
The deceased suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Juan Ayon-Barraza of Vallejo.
The investigation is ongoing, police said, and anyone with information should contact the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office at 925-957-2200 or Sgt. Pomeroy with the Richmond Police Department at 510-620-6616.
