A San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy was shot and killed Monday afternoon while responding to a domestic violence call in Rancho Cucamonga, California, in what authorities described as a sudden and unprovoked attack. The suspect fled the scene on a motorcycle, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit before being captured after a collision.
Deputy Andrew Nunez, 28, was one of several deputies who responded around 12:30 p.m. to reports of a man threatening a woman with a gun on the 12,300 block of Hollyhock Drive, approximately 47 miles east of Los Angeles.
"When deputies arrived, they were immediately fired upon and Andrew Nunez, a deputy sheriff, was struck," the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said in a statement. Nunez was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Sheriff Shannon D. Dicus called Nunez "a wonderful father, a wonderful deputy sheriff," during an emotional press briefing outside the department. Nunez, a six-year veteran of the sheriff's office, is survived by his wife, a two-year-old daughter, and an unborn child.
Authorities said the shooter fled the scene on a motorcycle shortly after the gunfire erupted, triggering a chase that stretched across multiple freeways. Deputies and allied agencies pursued the suspect eastbound on the 210 Freeway, with speeds reportedly topping 150 miles per hour.
An undercover narcotics deputy in an unmarked vehicle performed a pursuit intervention maneuver near Campus Avenue in Upland, forcing the suspect off the motorcycle. "The suspect was thrown from the motorcycle and taken into custody," the Sheriff's Department confirmed, adding that he was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. Once medically cleared, he will be booked on suspicion of murder. No additional shots were fired after the crash.
The Sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division - Homicide Detail is now leading the investigation. Detectives are working to determine the suspect's motive and whether the firearm used in the attack was legally owned. Officials urged anyone with information to contact detectives at 909-890-4904 or provide anonymous tips through We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME or wetip.com.
Across San Bernardino County, flags were lowered to half-staff in tribute to Deputy Nunez. Outside the Rancho Cucamonga station where he served, mourners gathered with candles and flowers, describing him as a "gentle giant" dedicated to protecting his community.
