Shooter Was Subdued By 'Heroic' Ben Lomond Man, Sheriff Says

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The gunman in Saturday's shooting in Ben Lomond was stopped by a resident who tackled the gunman, prevented him from detonating a pipe bomb and firing a gun, and held him down until officers could arrest him, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said Monday.

Hart called the man's act remarkable and heroic, and said other bystanders pitched in to help detain the shooter.

"This guy could've done a lot more damage in our community had that resident not taken the action that he did," Hart said.

The news came as Hart unveiled new details during a news conference about the shooting that left one deputy dead and two officers injured.

Deputies were called to the Boulder Creek area Saturday afternoon after a caller reported seeing guns and bomb-making devices in the back of a white van. Deputies located the car at a Ben Lomond home and were ambushed with a volley of gunfire and explosives that killed Damon Gutzwiller, a patrol sergeant with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, and injured a sheriff's deputy and California Highway Patrol officer.

Steven Carrillo of Ben Lomond has been charged with first-degree murder and is in Monterey County jail in lieu of $1 million bail. Hart said he is a security officer for the Air Force — not a peace officer — and is an active duty member.

"He was dangerous and he was an angry man intent on bringing harm to police officers," Hart said. "He's going to be held accountable."

Carrillo opened fire on officers as soon as they got out of their patrol cars, Hart said. Responding officers had no idea they were walking into a fire fight. The scene was chaotic, with bombs exploding, poor cell phone and radio reception, and deputies scouring the hillside in search of the gunman, Hart said.

The surviving deputy, who remains in the hospital and has not been named, was apparently shot in the chest, Hart said. His vest stopped the bullet, but he suffered major internal trauma, was struck by bomb shrapnel and was hit by a car driven by Carrillo as he fled the scene, Hart said.

After the fatal interaction with officers responding to the scene, Hart said Carrillo carjacked someone during his escape. Hart said he attempted to carjack many others and believes there may have been additional victims in the Ben Lomond area around 2 p.m. He urged anyone with information to come forward and contact the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office tipline at 831-454-2588.

"It's very important for Damon's memory that we get this case right," Hart said.

As Carrillo fled officers, he entered a Ben Lomond resident's backyard, Hart said. The resident confronted Carrillo — who had an AR-15 rifle slung around his body — about entering his property and Carrillo said he wanted the resident's car keys, Hart said.

The resident calmly went into his house, retrieved the keys and handed them to Carrillo. As Carrillo turned to leave, the resident tackled him.

The assault rifle fell away and the resident took Carrillo to the ground, Hart said. Carrillo reached into his pocket to pull out a pipe bomb and the resident knocked it out of his hand, Hart said. Carrillo pulled a pistol out of his waistband and the resident wrestled with him, eventually knocking it out of his hand and detaining him, Hart said.

Multiple people jumped on Carrillo and held him down until deputies arrived. Carrillo was shot at some point during his arrest, but officials did not elaborate on that detail during Monday's news.

An Investigation Continues

John Bennett, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's San Francisco Division, confirmed agents are investigating a possible connection to the fatal drive-by shooting of federal agent Dave Patrick Underwood, 53, of Pinole May 29 at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in downtown Oakland. Both incidents involved white vans.

Bennett said agents have remained on scene to assist the DA's office in its investigation. He asked for the public's patience and said more information will be made publicly available when possible, but agents are working long hours on difficult terrain and will remain on scene for as long as it takes.

He honored Gutzwiller for his ultimate sacrifice and said that's "why all of us in law enforcement get up every morning, put our badge on and protect these communities."

Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeff Rosell said Carrillo will be arraigned Friday at 1:30 p.m.

"I can assure you this person will be brought to justice," he said.

'Very Unusual Event For A Small Town'

Amid nationwide protests and some calls for the abolition of law enforcement agencies, Hart said he was grateful for the outpouring of support from others in the wake of Gutzwiller's death.

More than 40 NorCal law enforcement agencies responded, some remaining overnight to keep an eye on the county's public safety needs. He said he's received hundreds of calls, emails and text messages from the community.

Among those offering their condolences were elected officials, law enforcement agencies statewide, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and FBI Director Christopher Wray.

"In this era of a lot of negativity about law enforcement, it's been a real godsend to see what our community really thinks about us here in Santa Cruz County," Hart said.

And though Saturday's shooting was "a very unusual event for a small town like Ben Lomond," Hart said the community welcomed the FBI and offered food, water and support to investigators.

Bennett of the FBI thanked the town for its warm welcome and said investigators will follow all leads in their exhaustive pursuit of the case.

Hart reminded the public that for the sheriff's office, this investigation is all about justice for Gutzwiller, who leaves behind a two-year-old son and a wife three weeks away from giving birth, according to a flyer for a fundraiser benefiting Gutzwiller's family. Donors had contributed $242,000 as of Monday afternoon.

At a Sunday afternoon vigil, Gutzwiller was remembered as kind, caring, empathetic and a good police officer who would rather talk with someone to work out a problem.

He was a beloved hero who will never be forgotten, Hart said.

See more:

• Santa Cruz Co. Deputy Killed In Ben Lomond Shooting, Explosions
• Vigil Mourns Damon Gutzwiller, Santa Cruz Deputy Killed In Ambush