(KCBS Radio) — The Santa Clara County Sheriff says her office continues to search for a suspect – or suspects – who ambushed an officer Friday night.
Police say Deputy Sukhdeep Gill had pulled over on the side of Uvas Road in a rural area of unincorporated Morgan Hill at 10:30 p.m. and was standing outside of his patrol car when someone shot at him.
“The suspect’s vehicle approached the parked car and as they approached they turned off their lights and immediately began firing rounds at the deputy,” says Sheriff Laurie Smith. “His patrol car was struck several times and Deputy Gill was hit once.”
There were four gunshots in total according to police; three bullets struck the car and one struck Gill’s body camera, which he was wearing on his chest.
The deputy returned fire but the suspect car fled. It is not known if anyone else was struck or how many people were in the car. Deputy Gill says it appeared to be a silver 2000’s sedan, possibly a Honda.
“Our deputy was outside of his vehicle, not on a stop, not contacting any subjects and it, basically, was out of the blue,” says Lt. Brendan Omari. Deputy Gill is a practicing Sikh and was wearing a traditional head covering at the time. “It is unknown whether it’s a hate crime or just a crime of opportunity.”
The sheriff’s office says whether it was a hate crime or not, it was a “clearly premeditated attempted murder on a law enforcement officer.”
Deputy Gill is recovering from his injuries at home.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Sergeant Joe Piazza at (408) 808-4510 or the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Investigations main line at (408) 808-4500. The Sheriff’s Office Investigative Services section has an anonymous tip line at (408) 808-4431.