'Bewildering and deeply disappointing': California sheriff's deputy arrested, charged with making up 'ambush' shooting
A California sheriff’s deputy who was originally praised for his bravery during what was called an “ambush” shooting was arrested Friday after police say he “fabricated” the incident.
Deputy Sukhdeep Gill of the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Office a year ago was called “brave under fire,” according to a local media report, after he told investigators he was ambushed while stopped on a rural road during patrol. The incident was reported by Gill on Jan. 31, 2020.
Gill, 27, told investigators that a passenger in a silver sedan fired two shots at him as he walked back to his patrol car after he stopped on a “dirt shoulder to urinate,” according to the Santa Clara County district attorney’s office.
“It appeared he had been shot only once, and in a miraculous spot – his body-worn camera, which was destroyed,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement. “The incident triggered a manhunt for the shooter.”
Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the incident. After an investigation, detectives believe the shooting “did not occur as reported and was fabricated,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Gill, who has been with the sheriff’s office since 2016, was charged with felony vandalism and a misdemeanor charge of falsely reporting a crime, according to the DA's office. He had been placed on administrative leave pending the criminal and administrative investigations.
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“This case is bewildering and deeply disappointing,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement. “Deputy Gill’s actions abused the trust of his fellow officers and diverted public safety resources away from protecting the community to investigate a made-up crime.”
Authorities have not offered any explanation regarding why Gill allegedly staged the shooting.
“If the allegations hold true, Deputy Gill’s actions are not representative of the upstanding men and women of the Sheriff’s Office, who risk their lives every day to serve and protect our community with honesty and integrity,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
In a statement to The Mercury News, Gill’s attorney, Nicole Pifari said, “We look forward to getting our hands on the investigation and the evidence to understand why these charges are being pursued.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California sheriff's deputy arrested for staging 'ambush' shooting
