On Sunday, May 24, 2009, Officer Tyson Butler of the Sacramento Police Department was patrolling the area of 14^th Avenue and Business Drive.  At 4:46 p.m., he initiated a traffic stop on a white Ford Mustang, near the 3700 block of Business Drive for an infraction.

As Officer Butler approached the vehicle, the driver pointed a gun out the window and shot Officer Butler twice, once in the right arm and once in the upper thigh.  Due to his injuries, Officer Butler was not able to draw his weapon.  The suspect fled in his vehicle while Officer Butler put out a request for cover over his police radio.

The Sacramento Police Department's helicopter (Air-1) was in the area and spotted the vehicle as it fled the scene.  The officers in the helicopter relayed detailed information about the vehicle to ground units which led to a lengthy pursuit.  The pursuit ended in the county at the intersection of Keifer Boulevard and Happy Lane when the suspect was unable to negotiate a turn and crashed into a ditch. 

Officers on-scene attempted to gain compliance of the suspect, however, he was not responding to commands.  Deputies from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department as well as members of their SWAT team responded to the scene.  They eventually approach the vehicle and discovered that the driver was suffering from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound.  The suspect was transported to an area hospital where he later died.  The suspect was a 19-year-old Sacramento resident.

After being shot, Officer Butler was transported to an area hospital where he was treated for his injuries.  Although Officer Butler's injuries are serious, he is in stable condition.

Officer Butler has worked for the Sacramento Police Department for six years.  He spent three years working in the dispatch center and the past three years working as a patrol officer. 

This investigation is on-going; at this point, the motive for the shooting is unknown.