Homicide Suspect Killed In Emeryville Standoff Identified

EMERYVILLE, CA — A man who died after exchanging gunfire with police officers on Interstate Highway 80 in Emeryville on Wednesday has been identified as 45-year-old Demilo Hodge.

Hodge grew up in the Bay Area and owned and managed the Executive Excursion Limousine Service, offering wine tours in the Napa area.

Police said he was officially listed as a San Leandro resident, but his Facebook profile says he lived in Napa.

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

The pursuit went onto westbound Highway 80 and Richmond police got involved when it entered their jurisdiction. California Highway Patrol officers also assisted and used a spike strip on the suspect's vehicle near University Avenue.

The pursuit ended in Emeryville, where the vehicle hit a concrete barrier and came to a stop west of Powell Street. Following a standoff, Hodge allegedly shot at Fairfield and Richmond police officers, who returned fire
and struck him, police said.

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

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.

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; AP Photo/Noah Berger

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