Police Fatally Shoot Man During NorCal Lava Fire Evacuations

SISKIYOU COUNTY, CA — Police shot a man dead on Sunday after he brandished a firearm and reportedly refused to leave the evacuation zone of a fire burning in Northern California, the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office said.

The fast-moving Lava Fire, burning in Siskiyou County, prompted the evacuation of the Mount Shasta Vista Subdivision on Sunday, where officers from several law enforcement agencies were assisting fire personnel to evacuate the community.

Officials were stationed at the intersection of Shasta Vista Drive and County Road A-12 on Sunday around 8:30 p.m. when the driver of a GMC truck pulled up to the area.

The driver was told to turn north on County Road A-12 to exit the evacuation zone. But the driver ignored "numerous" directions from officials and attempted to drive around a roadblock, the sheriff's department said.

While an officer was speaking with the driver, he raised his hand and pointed a small semi-automatic handgun at officers. In response, officers shot the man, officials said.

An initial report also indicated that the driver may have fired several rounds from his gun at officers.

Firefighters were quick to render medical aid to the driver, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The officers were placed on paid administrative leave for an investigation of the incident, which will be handled by the Siskiyou County District Attorney's Office, officials said.

Officers involved with the fatal shooting were from the Siskiyou County Fire Department, the state's Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Etna Police Department, the sheriff's department said.

No other information was immediately available.