For Immediate Release

Sergeant Eric Palmberg

There has been a lot of discussion in recent days about a potential active shooter incident in our community in El Dorado Hills.

We want to dispel those rumors based on information obtained in the now complete investigation.

On Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., EDSO was called for a report of suspicious shots fired in El Dorado Hills in an open field area east of Town Center. The reporting party, (RP), said he had heard several gunshots in the area, so he went to investigate. The RP made contact with an adult male that was in possession of several firearms to include rifles with scopes. While speaking with the male, he said he wanted to shoot one more round, and he fired one shot from a rifle into a large dirt berm. The male then brandished a handgun and pointed it at the RP. The male told the RP he needed to leave, and he made some type of suicidal statement.

The RP left the area and called EDSO. EDSO set a perimeter and attempted to make contact with the male safely by using air resources. Upon EDSO’s response the male was observed motionless and no shots were fired while EDSO was on scene. Ultimately, deputies contacted the male subject who was deceased. A total of five firearms were located in the area, three of which were rifles. Approximately eight empty shell casings were located on scene. Further investigation revealed the male may have fired shots into a sign and a signpost in the area of Joerger Cutoff Road.

On Thursday EDSO received a report from a citizen that was driving in the area at the time of the incident. The citizen believed their vehicle may have been struck by a bullet. The location on the car, as reported by the citizen, was a plastic piece in the lower portion of the vehicle and not in the area of the passenger compartment. The car was inspected and the evidence was insufficient and neither confirmed nor denied the damage was caused by a bullet or related to the incident. Based on EDSO’s investigation on scene, as well as our contact with the male’s family, we have no reason to believe the now deceased male had any intention of harming any EDC citizens.