The deaths of detective Sgt. Loran "Butch" Baker, a 28-year veteran, and detective Elizabeth Butler, a 10-year veteran, are the first in the line of duty in the city's history. Authorities said they were found deceased outside suspect Jeremy Goulet's home in the 800 block of Branciforte shortly after the 3:30 p.m. shooting.
"This is the darkest day in the history of the Santa Cruz Police Department Police Chief Kevin Vogel said, adding earlier, "We lost two exceptionally fine officers today."
Vogel, who was once partnered with Baker, said "Our department is in mourning; this is a horrific day."
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Phil Wowak said Goulet, 35, was shot and killed on Doyle Street after firing at officers who were conducting a search of the area. His agency will assume control of the investigation as outlined in the Police Department's critical incident protocol, with the cooperation of the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office....
The incident started when Santa Cruz police were conducting an investigation, possibly a domestic violence situation stemming from Goulet's Friday arrest, at a house on the 800 block of North Branciforte Avenue, just up the street from where the shooting happened. He was arrested there for drunken disorderly but bailed out.
Wowak said they believe Goulet shot at the officers, who were found dead outside the house. "We don't know exactly what transpired in that investigation to start but we do know in the contact with the suspect, Jeremy Goulet, 35, a resident at the scene, both detectives were killed."
Wowak said the call for assistance went out in numerous ways "both from the officers and neighbors who heard gunfire."
Goulet was not on scene when officers arrived. Although officers attempted life-saving efforts on their colleagues, they were unsuccessful, Wowak said....
During the "active shooter scenario" police and deputies encountered Goulet on nearby Doyle Street about 30 minutes later and a barrage of gunfire followed.
"Gunshots ensued between Goulet and the officers. Goulet was killed at the scene," Wowak said.
Megan Kausch, a Capitola resident, said she was sitting outside Whole Foods located near Branciforte Avenue and Doyle Street reorganizing her purse when police swooped in. She heard a hail of gunfire and ducked down as she looked up saw gun smoke.
"I've never been so close to a real shooting. It was so loud, so many bullets back and forth." ...THE SUSPECT
Moments after the first shooting police issued Project ROPE for a white four-door Honda or Toyota Corolla seen leaving the scene of the Branciforte shooting. They were looking for a white male with long, blondish brown hair in his 20s with a backpack, gray baseball cap and white T-shirt.
Police put out a be on the lookout for Jeremy Peter Goulet, 35, described as 155 pounds, 5 feet 8 inches tall, blond hair, green eyes. It was not immediately confirmed by police what relation he had to the case. Goulet reportedly had three weapons registered to him including a .40-caliber semi-automatic Sig Sauer and a Baretta. http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_22674808/breaking-2-officers-1-suspect-shot-santa-cruz%3E%3Ch1%20class=
It is sad and this is why the people supporting gun control do have a point: how do keep thugs like the shooter from having a gun?
RIP to the officers and prayers to the family, friends and the Santa Cruz police Dept.
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