Sonoma County

Sonoma Sheriff's Deputy Expected to Survive After Being Shot

The suspect, who was said to be acting strange before opening fire, was taken into custody following the shooting at a car wash and gas station in Sonoma

A Sonoma County sheriff's deputy is in good condition and is expected to survive after being shot by a 20-year-old employee at a car wash in Sonoma Sunday morning, according to the sheriff's office.

The suspect, who was said to be acting strange before opening fire with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, was taken into custody following the shooting, which happened at the Jolly Washer car wash and 76 gas station located along the 19200 block of Highway 12 in the North Bay city, according to the sheriff's office.

The suspect was identified later Sunday as 20-year-old Ryan Pritel, officials said.

A manager at the car wash told emergency dispatchers that Pritel was told to leave and go home, but he refused, prompting deputies to be dispatched to the business just before 11 a.m., according to the sheriff's office. The manager also told dispatchers that it looked as though he had a BB gun.

Two arriving deputies spotted Pritel acting suspicious behind a truck in the car wash line, according to the sheriff's office. 

"The deputies go outside to make contact with him, they see the suspect kinda hunkered down behind one of the cars, acting strange," Lt. Bret Sackett said. "He then steps out from behind the car, exposing himself, lifts up his shirt, and removes a handgun from his waistband and fires at the deputy."

One of the deputies was hit by a bullet, which contained multiple pellets, according to the sheriff's office. The pellets struck the deputy in multiple places across his body.

At least one of the deputies fired back at the suspect, but the suspect managed to hide behind the truck to avoid being hit, according to the sheriff's office.

After Pritel's gun appeared to jam, he threw it down. Deputies were then able to take him into custody, according to the sheriff's office.

The suspect's handgun, which was loaded with multiple rounds, was found and collected from the scene, according to the sheriff's office.

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