Central Valley Deputies Fatally Shoot Kidnap Suspect

MODESTO, Calif. (AP) – Central Valley authorities say a kidnap suspect was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy and the victim was rescued unharmed.

The Modesto Police Department says the shooting occurred late Wednesday night when Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputies investigating a kidnapping and false imprisonment incident located suspect Stephen Murray in Modesto.

Police say deputies had an arrest warrant and attempted to take the 52-year-old Murray into custody but he took the victim hostage with an apparent firearm, and he was shot. The weapon turned out to be a replica firearm.

Per protocol, the incident is being investigated by Modesto police, the county district attorney and the sheriff’s internal affairs division.