California deputy killed by driver, suspect dies in shootout

JURUPA VALLEY, Calif. (AP) – A Southern California sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed Thursday by a man with a violent criminal history during a traffic stop, and the suspect later died in a shootout on a freeway, authorities said. .

Isaiah Cordero, 32, crashed a pickup truck shortly before 2 p.m. in the town of Jurupa Valley, east of Los Angeles. As he approached the vehicle, the driver pulled out a gun and fired at him, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said at an evening news conference.

A witness called 911 and residents tried to help Cordero until paramedics arrived, but he was pronounced dead at a hospital.

A “massive manhunt” was then launched for the shooter, and he was spotted in neighboring San Bernardino County, sparking a pursuit on highways across both counties. A rubber band disabled the two rear wheels, but the truck kept going, the sheriff said.

Television news showed dozens of Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol cars chasing the truck.

On Interstate 15 in Norco, the truck finally became disabled, losing an axle and overturned, Bianco said.

“At the conclusion of the pursuit, the suspect fired at the deputies” with a handgun and they returned fire, killing him, Bianco said.

The motorcycle deputy was shot at some point during the traffic stop and later died at the hospital. (KABC)

The suspect, William Shae McKay, 44, of San Bernardino County, had a long and violent criminal history dating back to 2000 that included kidnappings, robberies and multiple arrests for assault with a deadly weapon, including a stabbing. of a California Highway Patrol dog. , the sheriff said.

Cordero was a motorcycle officer assigned to Jurupa Valley, a city about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles that contracts with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for police services.

Cordero joined the 4,000-strong department as a corrections deputy, worked in local jails, became a sworn deputy in 2018 and completed motor school to become a motor deputy in September, Bianco said.

Cordero “learned from his mother the value of service and helping others,” and his goal at the department was always to become a motor deputy, Bianco said.

“He was naturally drawn to law enforcement and certainly embodied our motto of service above self,” Bianco said. “He was a joke around the station and all our MPs considered him their little brother.”

The sheriff said McKay was convicted of a “third strike” offense last year that should have put him in state prison for 25 years to life, but a San Bernardino County judge reduced his bail, allowing him to be released. his and later released him after an arrest. for not appearing in his decision.

“He should have been sentenced immediately to 25 years to life,” Bianco said. “We wouldn’t be here today if the judge had done her job.” Bianco said.

Hours after the shooting, dozens of motorcycle officers and patrol cars escorted a car carrying the deputy’s flag-draped casket from the hospital to the county coroner’s office.

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