It’s with a heavy heart that Sheriff Adam Christianson announced the tragic death of Stanislaus County Deputy Robert Paris. Deputy Paris was shot and killed in the line of duty, while serving an eviction notice in the 2100 block of Chrysler Drive, in the City of Modesto. Since the incident, there have been many updates from the Sheriff’s Office and Modesto Police Department.
Deputy Paris is a sixteen year veteran of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Paris served his community with pride and admiration.
“This is a tragic day for law enforcement and public safety,” said Sheriff Adam Christianson. “Deputy Paris paid the ultimate price, sacrificing his life, while protecting and serving the citizens of Stanislaus County.” “Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob’s family, the community, our sheriff’s family and all the law enforcement personnel from every jurisdiction in the central valley who come to our aid today.”
Deputy Paris is survived by his parents, brother and two adult children. This is a tremendous loss for the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department and the community.
Authorities have prepared to enter the fire-gutted apartment, and expect to find the suspect responsible for the shooting deaths of the deputy and a civilian after a daylong standoff.
The standoff began on Thursday morning immediately after the gunfire broke out as the deputy and civilian locksmith approached the Whispering Woods development to serve the eviction notice. After the deputy and locksmith were killed, the suspect immediately blockaded himself inside an apartment.
Although it is not clear exactly how the fire began, Sheriff Adam Christianson acknowledged flash-bang devices and tear gas devices used by SWAT team members could have been responsible for the fire.
Officers on the scene used loudspeakers to communicate with the suspect inside the apartment to answer the phone, however, no one came out.
"One of my valued members of my team is dead," a distraught Christianson told reporters. "I am overwhelmingly frustrated that we don’t have the sufficient resources to protect the community."
The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office released the name of the second man shot to death, the civilian locksmith, as being Glendon Engert, age 35, of Modesto.
The fourplex and four other buildings close by will continue to be blocked off even after the rest of the units in the block are opened to residents later today, Officer Chris Adams said.
Police spokesman Officer Chris Adams said that a body was found in the ruins of the apartment.
He said authorities did not presume whether it was or was not the body of the gunman. No identification was made on the body, nor were investigators even able to say if it was that of a male or female.
At approximately 3pm today, a bomb squad vehicle arrived to the apartment location. Officer Adams said at a press briefing that investigators were not sure if the area was clear of any explosive devices that the gunman may have planted. The gunman may have had military training.
The shooting investigation is currently being handled by the Modesto Police Department. Further details will be released when available. Funeral arrangements for Deputy Robert Paris are pending and will be announced as soon as they are made.
