MADERA COUNTY - Shortly after 9PM Sunday, Madera County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the 28000 block of Avenue 15 ¾ for a domestic disturbance complaint. The reporting party advised the dispatcher that the subject had a firearm.
Upon arrival at the scene, twenty-eight year veteran of the Madera County Sheriff’s Department, Sergeant Mike Pace, was shot by the suspect as the officer was exiting his vehicle. He was treated at the scene by EMS and transported to Community Regional Medical Center..
"Almost immediately he encountered gunfire. Sergeant Pace was struck in the leg. He was treated and transported to a regional hospital and was released," said Madera County Sheriff's Commander Tyson Pogue.
The subject remained barricaded inside the residence engaging law enforcement by firing rounds from both inside and outside of the residence. Several law enforcement vehicles were damaged with bullets in the stand-off but there were no additional injuries to officers.
A perimeter was established and multiple agencies responded to help secure the scene. The Madera County SWAT Team made up of Madera County Sheriff’s deputies, along with police officers from Madera and Chowchilla quickly arrived and took control of the scene. Commander Pogue says they used tear gas, and several hours later, the suspect finally surrendered.
Luis Alberto Maravilla, a 39 year old Madera resident, was arrested following the standoff. The suspect was transported and booked into the Madera County Department of Corrections on multiple felony charges of first-degree attempted murder of a peace officer, discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner, criminal threats with intent to terrorize, and domestic battery.
Madera County Sheriff’s Detectives on the scene say about 100 shots were fired, and several weapons were found at the home. "During the investigation, we did find rifles and handguns stationed outside around the residence. We won't know if he intentionally put them there as a stash point so he could easily get to them, or if that happens to be where he set them down," said Commander Pogue.
Detectives are not sure if alcohol or drugs were a factor. As for Sergeant Pace he's expected to make a full recovery. No other law enforcement officers were injured in the gunfire.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 675-7770, or Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).
