Suspect Who Opened Fire on California Sheriff's Deputy In Custody After Standoff

A 54-year-old man is in custody after allegedly opening fire on a Contra Costa County sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop and later sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a prolonged standoff.
Jan. 13, 2026
2 min read

What to Know

  • The incident began with a traffic stop related to a restraining order violation in Oakley, California.
  • The suspect, Raymond Smith, fired multiple rounds at deputies but was not injured during the exchange.
  • A large-scale response involved SWAT, K-9 units, drones, and multiple police departments to resolve the standoff.

OAKLEY, California -- A 54-year-old man is in custody after allegedly opening fire on a Contra Costa County sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop and later sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a prolonged standoff.

The incident began at about 10:50 a.m. when a deputy was dispatched to investigate a reported violation of a restraining order, according to a news release.

After locating the suspect vehicle, the deputy initiated a traffic enforcement stop in the 4300 block of Gold Run Drive in Oakley. Authorities said the driver exited the vehicle almost immediately and fired several rounds at the deputy.

The deputy was not struck and returned fire, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The suspect then fled on foot into a nearby neighborhood.

Multiple agencies assisted in the search, including the Oakley Police Department, California Highway Patrol, East Bay Regional Park Police, Brentwood Police Department, and Antioch Police Department. The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office deployed its SWAT Team, Hostage Negotiation Team, Drone Unit, and a K-9.

The suspect was later located barricaded inside his residence in the 2700 block of Placer Drive in Oakley. After several hours of attempted communication, a SWAT armored vehicle approached the home. Authorities reported that a gunshot was heard at that time and the suspect apparently attempted to take his own life.

Medical personnel who were staged on scene immediately provided life-saving measures. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The man was identified as Raymond Smith, 54, of Oakley. He was arrested and is expected to be booked on charges that include attempted murder of a peace officer, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. Anonymous tips can be submitted by emailing [email protected] or calling (866) 846-3592.

This piece was created with the help of generative AI tools and edited by our content team for clarity and accuracy.
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