STOCKTON – A police officer and suspect both died after a shooting that began as a domestic violence investigation Tuesday morning.
At about 9:45am dispatchers received a report of a disturbance on the 4400 block of La Cresta Way. The person who called said they heard screaming and saw a woman with a ripped shirt who was bleeding and appeared to have been assaulted.
Police Officer Jimmy Inn was dispatched to the call and arrived on scene shortly after 10:00am and knocked on the door. Inn was met with a voice from inside the home that said “Hey police,” and a man opened the door and shot him multiple times.
A second officer, Pancho Freer, arrived on scene just as the shooting occurred. Authorities said the suspect was seen standing over Officer Inn holding a gun. The suspect then fired at Freer, striking his patrol car. Officer Freer shot back from inside his patrol car, causing the suspect to retreat back into his home.
The suspect then came out again, this time holding his eight year old son. Officer Freer gave the suspect commands, but he refused and began to strangle the child. A nearby witness then tackled the suspect, freeing the child. Officer Freer then fired his weapon multiple times, hitting the suspect.
Life saving measures were performed on both the suspect and Officer Inn. They were both taken to hospitals, but both died from their injuries. The eight year old boy was medically cleared and then released to his mother.
A multi agency investigation was launched, closing off much of the neighborhood all day Tuesday. Agencies including California Department of Justice, ATF, and District Attorney Investigators all responded to assist in the investigation.
Officer Jimmy Inn was hired in December of 2015 and assigned to the field operations division. He was a member of the police department’s honor guard. He is survived by his wife Tela, who is also a Stockton Police Officer, a seven month old son and two step children ages 12 and 14.
Officer Pancho Freer was placed on administrative leave for three days. He was hired in April of 2012 and assigned to the Field Operations Division.
The suspect was identified late Tuesday night as 30 year old Lance Lowe. A Glock handgun was found during a search of his residence.
The female victim in the case was said to have walked away from the scene shortly before officers arrived. Investigators are trying to find her to get a statement.
