Kern County Sheriff’s Office finds deputy’s use of force within policy, releases body-worn camera footage of Motel 6 shooting

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputy acted within department policy when she fired her weapon at a suspect who pepper-sprayed another deputy outside the Motel 6 on Olive Tree Court back in September, officials said Monday.

The sheriff’s office released an edited video of photographs and body-worn camera footage of the Sept. 2 incident and said its Incident Review Board determined Deputy Erica Andrews acted within department policy.

On Sept. 2, Christian Dumas, 23, and the driver of a vehicle were stopped for code violations at 5241 Olive Tree Court. Dumas, had two felony warrants for his arrest. When deputies attempted to arrest Dumas, he pointed and pepper-sprayed a deputy and fled on foot toward a nearby Motel 6 lobby.

Dumas briefly ran inside the motel’s lobby. When he exited, Andrews fired three rounds at Dumas who tried to pepper-spray her. Dumas was not hit.

The driver of the vehicle was not arrested.

Officers at the scene found a 7-ounce pepper-spray container and narcotics Dumas ditched at the scene. Dumas was able to evade law enforcement following an extensive search that night.

On Sept. 7, deputies arrested Dumas in the 400 block of North Chester Avenue. Dumas pepper-sprayed deputies again during his attempt to flee, KCSO said, but was later caught with the help of a K-9 officer . He was treated at a hospital for his injuries and booked into the Lerdo jail.

On Sept. 27, a KCSO’s Incident Review Board concluded the Andrews’ use of her firearm was within department policy.

Dumas later took a plea deal and faces 10 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 22.

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