Contra Costa Deputies Injured, Suspect Dead In Knightsen Standoff

KNIGHTSEN, CA — Three Contra Costa County sheriff's deputies were injured and a domestic violence suspect was fatally shot as an hours-long standoff Thursday in Knightsen came to an end.

The sheriff's office late Friday identified the suspect who died in the officer-involved shooting as 44-year-old Eduardo Martinez of Bay Point.

Deputies first responded at 9:38 a.m. Thursday a report of spousal abuse at a home in the 1700 block of Green Acres Lane, where a woman reported that her ex-boyfriend held her hostage overnight, sexually assaulted her, threw her on a coffee table, tied her to a chair with duct tape, and poured gasoline on her, sheriff's office Spokesman Jimmy Lee said.

"He also threatened to burn down the house with her in it," Lee said. "The victim, who said Martinez had a shotgun and pistol, also reported that he made threats to shoot law enforcement and said he did not want to go back to jail."

The victim, whose identity was withheld by the sheriff's office, was able to escape from the house.

Deputies set up a perimeter around the home and made numerous announcements for Martinez to come out but there was no response, Lee said.

Assistance from the sheriff's SWAT and Hostage Negotiation teams was requested, and both arrived at 12:40 p.m.

Throughout the afternoon hours and into the evening, hostage negotiators communicated with Martinez, asking him to surrender, Lee said.

Martinez refused to give up, and several times during the day, he reportedly fired a shotgun into the ground and shot at deputies.

At 8:58 p.m., Martinez came out of the house advancing on deputies and fired his shotgun at SWAT Team members, striking three of them, Lee said.

Deputies returned fire, hitting Martinez, who was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The three deputies who were injured were all treated and released from the hospital.

One deputy was struck in his chest but was saved by his bulletproof vest.

Another was hit in his head by shotgun pellets, while the third was shot in his arm.

"Per the county’s law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol this case is being investigated by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office," Lee said.

According to the sheriff's office, Martinez had extensive contacts with law enforcement. His previous arrests included: domestic battery, spousal abuse, making criminal threats, false imprisonment, obstruction, receiving stolen property and multiple counts of driving under the influence.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at 925-313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.