Crime & Safety
Deputy Ambushed, Shot In Possible Hate Crime, Sheriff Says
A Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputy who was shot and injured in Morgan Hill may have been targeted for his religion, officials said.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — A Santa Clara County sheriff's deputy was shot and injured in an ambush on Friday night in unincorporated Morgan Hill, sheriff's officials said at a news conference Monday.
Deputy Sukhdeep Gill was patrolling Friday night in the sheriff's office's jurisdiction on Uvas Road when he was reportedly ambushed by someone in an approaching car at 10:32 p.m., according to the sheriff's office.
As the unidentified vehicle approached, its lights were switched off and one or more suspects fired at least four shots at Gill, who was outside his vehicle at the time.
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The deputy was hit once when the bullet reportedly struck his body camera and body armor around the center of his body.
He suffered an injury that is not life-threatening and is recovering at home, according to the sheriff's office.
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The suspect or suspects fled and remain at large.Sheriff Laurie Smith on Monday called the shooting an "unprovoked sneak attack."
Gill, who has been with the sheriff's office since 2015, is said to be a practicing Sikh who wears a traditional headdress. The sheriff's office said it is unclear if the motive of the shooting was a hate crime or a crime of opportunity against law enforcement.
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