TWIN OAKS, Calif. --
On Saturday at about 6:40 p.m., Kern County sheriff's deputy Shotwell, began to investigate a report of a possible stolen horse.
Shotwell said as he followed up on the investigation, he was sent to home in the 36000 block of Oak Field Way, a remote area near Twin Oaks.
Shotwell said he saw a man who began to approach him. The man suddenly fired a gunshot, Shotwell said.
Shotwell was able to retreat back to his patrol car with the person he was arriving to talk with, and activated his overhead lights to let the man know he was a law enforcement officer. He also got on his PA and announced who he was. This was met with more shots being fired by the man.
Shotwell saw the man, who appeared to be armed with a rifle, deputies said.
The deputy then fired three rounds from his shotgun at the man, and called for assistance.
Several deputies, as well as officers from the California Highway Patrol, came to the area. After about a 40-minute standoff, 70-year-old Fernando Sumante was eventually taken into custody after he attempted to flee, authorities said.
Deputies said they found two shotguns in the area where Sumante was arrested, as well as three spent shotgun shell-casings. No one was injured during the incident.
Sumante was taken to the Kern County Jail where he was booked on a charge of reckless discharge of a firearm.
Shotwell who is a veteran with more than four years with the sheriff's office, was placed on administrative leave pending a review by the Sheriff’s Office Lethal Force Review Board. No other suspects are outstanding.
The investigation is continuing.
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