Crime & Safety

Officials ID Elderly Man Shot By Santa Clara Co. Deputy

BREAKING: The 86-year-old reportedly brandished gun at law enforcement in Saratoga.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – A man fatally shot by a Santa Clara County sheriff's deputy Monday in Saratoga has been identified as 86-year-old Eugene Craig, a sheriff's spokesman said.

The deputy who shot Craig, Sgt. Doug Ulrich, has served with the Sheriff's Office for 14 years, sheriff's Lt. James Jensen said.

On Monday around 7:50 p.m., deputies responded to a welfare check at a residence on Titus Avenue across the street from Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, Jensen said.

Find out what's happening in Saratogafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Arriving deputies attempted to contact a person, later identified as Craig, inside the home for about 50 minutes before they went around and entered the building through a back door, Jensen said.

Deputies found Craig, who was holding a loaded handgun, and told him to drop the weapon, according to Jensen.

Find out what's happening in Saratogafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The 86-year-old man allegedly brandished the firearm at deputies and Ulrich shot him, Jensen said.

Craig was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, according to Jensen.

Ulrich has been placed on paid administrative leave as an investigation continues into the shooting, Jensen said.

--Bay City News/File photo

More from Saratoga