Update-Officer Involved Shooting

Date and Time of Release: 23 November 2014

Subject: Officer Involved Shooting
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Saturday, 22 November 2014, at approx. 8:06 pm, The Sonora Police department received a 911 call from a subject who resides on the 600 block of Orchard Ave., in Sonora. The caller stated a male subject had just threatened him with a firearm and then left the reporting parties residence. The caller gave a detailed description of the suspect’s vehicle.

As officers were responding to the residence on Orchard Ave., an officer observed a vehicle matching the suspect’s vehicle leaving the area. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren and the vehicle failed to stop. The officer followed the vehicle onto Washington Street, then South on Washington Street.

When the suspect vehicle reached the intersection of S. Washington Street and Theall Street, it came to an abrupt stop in the roadway. The driver exited the vehicle and started firing at the pursuing officer. An exchange of gunfire occurred, before the suspect returned to his vehicle and took off southbound on S. Washington once again and the pursuit continued.

When the suspect reached the intersection of State Highway 108 and S. Washington Street, he turned westbound. As the suspect traveled westbound on State Highway 108, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Deputies join the pursuit. When the suspect vehicle reached the intersection of State Highway 108 and Stockton Road, the suspect exited the highway and started back towards Sonora.

When the suspect reached the intersection on Stockton Road and S. Washington Street, the suspect turned north on S. Washington Street. When the suspect reached the intersection of S. Washington and Theall Streets, the suspect once again abruptly stopped his vehicle in the roadway. And once again exited his vehicle and exchanged gun fire with the pursing officers.

During the first exchange of gunfire, a 7 year vet of the Sonora Police Department was struck in the duty belt and suffered a non life threatening injury. He was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released.

The Suspect was also struck and passed away at the scene as the result of his wounds. The suspect has been identified as Bruce Thomas Snyder, 29 year of age. His last known address was in Jamestown CA. Snyder was on active parolee for felony assault with a deadly weapon.

A bystander from North Carolina was also struck during the first exchange of gun fire and suffered a non life threatening injury. The bystander was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for her wounds and released.

The investigation into this matter is ongoing.