Fairfield Officer Shoots, Kills Vacaville Stabbing, Arson Suspect

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — A man wanted on suspicion of attempted murder in an alleged double stabbing and home arson Monday evening in Vacaville was shot by a Fairfield police officer later Monday night and died from his injuries, according to Vacaville police.

Police said the suspect, Nathaniel Holland, 38, of Vacaville, was found hiding in a heavily wooded creek area in the 1000 block of Mason Street around 10:45 p.m. Monday by a Fairfield police K-9 unit.

The suspect then attacked the dog with a knife and was shot, Vacaville police said.

"Several K-9 teams were being used to search for the suspect, who was eventually spotted by a citizen near the 1000 block of Mason Street," Vacaville police officials said of the events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. "The citizen reported seeing the suspect in the area who was possibly armed with a knife. Officers began to converge on the area in which Holland was last seen and set up a perimeter."

Fairfield police Sgt. Matt Bloesch confirmed early Tuesday morning that Fairfield officers responded to assist in the search for the suspect, and that one of the officers was involved in a shooting.

Authorities did not say if Holland died at the scene or at a local hospital.

Vacaville police said the K-9 is expected to survive.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter crew who responded to aid in the search for Holland wound up airlifting the injured police dog and its handler to the University Airport, where a UC police officer continued the trip to UC Davis Veterinary Hospital, CHP officials said.

The first call about the incident allegedly involving Holland came in at 6:40 p.m. Monday. Officers responded to a home in the 1200 block of Alderwood Way for a report of a stabbing as well as a house fire.

Police said officers found out that Holland was seen running from the scene, and later investigation determined an argument with a 43-year-old woman had escalated to the stabbing and fire.

Holland allegedly stabbed the woman, and when a 16-year-old girl tried to intervene, he allegedly stabbed the teen, as well, according to police.

Police said Holland then doused the inside of the home with gasoline while two teenage boys — ages 12 and 15 — and a 4-year-old girl were inside, then started a fire and fled.

Police said the woman and a few of the kids were initially trapped inside as flames blocked the front of the home, but then climbed out a back window to escape. One of the teenage boys and a neighbor then saved the 4-year-old girl. The girl was transported to a Sacramento hospital for treatment of burn injuries.

The two stabbing victims were also taken to regional trauma centers for treatment, police said.

Vacaville and Fairfield police, along with the Solano County District Attorney's Office, will investigate the officer-involved shooting and the officer who shot Holland has been placed on administrative leave, police said.

"Preliminary investigation indicates a single Fairfield Police Officer fired at the suspect," Vacaville police officials said. "No officers were injured."

Tuesday morning, authorities had not disclosed the name of the involved Fairfield officer.

Anyone with information about the incident was being asked to contact Vacaville police Detective Yetter at 707-469-4846.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Photos courtesy Vacaville Police Department