FORT BRAGG, 10/1/21 — Ten years ago today three SWAT officers from Sacramento County established an observation post about a quarter-mile from Sherwood Road. This position, and a number of others, was picked based on the suspect’s route between the scenes of several recent burglaries in the area and some help from a bloodhound named Willow. Aaron Bassler had been on the run for more than a month. He was suspected of two murders, and had previously exchanged gunfire with law enforcement — so when they saw him approaching with his rifle at ready, they took the initiative.
“Without giving a verbal warning, Deputy (Matt) Owens fired on Bassler,” investigators wrote in District Attorney David Eyster’s report on the shooting. Bassler didn’t immediately go down, however, or lose his grip on the rifle. “Believing there still to be a risk, Deputy Owens fired again, joined now by the (other) two deputies.”
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