Napa Limo Driver Was Fairfield Homicide Suspect Shot, Killed In I-80 Pursuit, Standoff

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CA — A man who died Wednesday after reportedly exchanging gunfire with Fairfield and Richmond police officers on Interstate Highway 80 in Emeryville has been identified as 45-year-old Demilo Hodge. The Bay Area native owned and managed Executive Excursion Limousine Service, offering wine tours in the Napa area. Police said he was officially listed as a San Leandro resident, but Hodge's Facebook profile says he lived in Napa.

Around 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, Fairfield police detectives tried to apprehend a homicide suspect — now identified as Hodge — but he allegedly fled and a pursuit ensued, according to a joint news release from Fairfield, Richmond and Emeryville police.

Hodge was wanted in connection with the killing of 68-year-old William Freeman in the 800 block of Sunset Court in Fairfield on Dec. 10, 2015, according to Fairfield police. Earlier this month, Fairfield police released sketches of two suspects in the alleged murder.

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Lt. Rob Lemke of the Fairfield Police Department told reporters in a live news conference Wednesday afternoon that Fairfield police had asked Richmond police to "effect a traffic stop on the suspect in the city of Richmond."

Hodge allegedly failed to yield, leading Fairfield and Richmond police personnel on a pursuit onto westbound Highway 80.

California Highway Patrol officers also got involved and used a spike strip on the suspect's vehicle near University Avenue.

The freeway chase ended in Emeryville, where the vehicle hit a concrete barrier and came to a stop west of Powell Street. During a standoff that involved negotiations over a loud speaker and via cellphone, Hodge allegedly refused to exit his vehicle and at one point fired at least one shot from a gun, police said. An officer or officers fired back and struck him, police said.

Hodge was taken to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

• Fairfield Homicide Suspect Shot, Killed As I-80 Pursuit Ends Near Emeryville

Wednesday's standoff and shooting prompted the closure of Highway 80 for several hours. The highway's eastbound lanes reopened around 11 a.m. and the westbound lanes reopened at about 5 p.m.

The Alameda County District Attorney's Office and Emeryville police will be investigating the case.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Screenshot image via Demilo Hodge Facebook profile