4 months ago
ROCKLIN, CA - Police investigators have identified Placer County Sheriff's Lt. John Savage as the suspect in an incident involving the negligent discharge of a firearm, a potential felony.
Rocklin Police Department spokesman Lt. Terry Roide said the report is being forwarded to the Placer County District Attorney. "Our investigators felt there was enough information to send it to the DA for review," Roide told News10.
According to the official police log obtained by News10, a neighbor on Lakebreeze Drive called 911 at 9:43 p.m. on Oct. 8 and reported hearing five or six gunshots.
Another neighbor told News10 she actually witnessed the sheriff's officer shooting into the air.
"He took the gun out, pointed it into the air and shot if off," the neighbor said. According to the witness, the lieutenant came out of the house wearing pajama bottoms and a tank top and immediately went back into the house after the shooting incident, slamming a courtyard gate and the front door behind him.
The police log indicates a total of five officers were dispatched in response to the 911 call.
A Placer County sheriff's spokesman said his department was aware of the incident but was waiting to review the police report before deciding what action, if any, would be taken against Savage.
Roide said the case was investigated as a violation of penal code section 246.3, which addresses the discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner that could lead to injury or death.
"What goes up must come down," Roide said, referring to bullets fired into the air. The crime can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Savage is a former dog handler and internal affairs investigator. Neighbors said he is currently assigned to the sheriff's Loomis substation.
by George Warren, GWarren@news10.net
KXTV/News10
