Citrus Heights Police Shoot Knife Wielding Suspect Who Charged Them, Officials Say

The following is a news release issued by the Citrus Heights Police Department: 

At approximately 0915 hours, officers from the Citrus Heights Police Department responded to the 7900 block of Oak Avenue, located east of Sunrise Boulevard, concerning multiple 911 calls of a white male adult who was armed with a knife and threatening residents.  

While Citrus Heights Police officers were responding to the location the suspect fled the home and forcibly entered another home nearby. As officers were establishing a perimeter around the area, the suspect fled the 2nd residence. Once a perimeter was established, Citrus Heights Police officers began a search of the area and located the suspect hiding nearby.  

Preliminary information indicates the armed suspect charged at officers while they were attempting to detain him. Officers fired causing the suspect to fall to the ground. The suspect struggled with officers while they were taking him into custody. The officers received minor injuries while struggling with suspect.  

**Update**

The suspect, identified as Panogiotis Eliopoulos, was armed with two (2) knives and charged at two Citrus Heights Police officers who fired at the suspect.  

Eliopoulos is being charged with California Penal Code 245(c) Assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, California Penal Code 459 Burglary, and additional charges are pending.  

The suspect, Eliopoulos, is currently in critical condition at a local hospital.