DUNNIGAN, Calif. -- A parolee accused of killing a Yolo County sheriff's deputy in Dunnigan was captured Monday morning following a massive manhunt that lasted several hours.
Police arrested 35-year-old Arbuckle resident Marco Antonio Topete on suspicion of shooting to death 37-year-old Deputy Tony Diaz, Sheriff Ed Prieto told reporters.
Diaz was airlifted after the shooting to Woodland Memorial Hospital, where he later died. He was the father of three girls - ages 2, 4 and 16.
"It's just tragic," Prieto said during a news conference. "It hurts your soul."
Prieto said Diaz was shot in the shoulder and was able to report his own shooting to dispatchers. Prieto added that police will be studying dash video captured by the deputy's police car for evidence related to the shooting.
Prieto worked in information technology for Yolo County for several years before becoming a deputy. Prieto described Diaz as a "very gentle man" and "easy-going."
Prieto said Topete had ties to gangs and served 12 years in prison for shooting another person.
"He is not a stranger to violence," Prieto said of Topete.
Topete was captured shortly before 8 a.m. in a rest area near Interstate 5 in the Dunnigan area. Investigators said they found a rifle that was used in the slaying.
Prieto said Topete recently moved to Arbuckle from Davis.
"I'm just thankful we have this individual in custody," Prieto said.
Topete was taken to jail in Yolo County for questioning, Prieto added.
Prieto heaped praise on other local police agencies that helped in the search. Dunnigan was swarming with officers from Sacramento, West Sacramento, Davis and elsewhere during the height of the manhunt.
A 10-mile stretch of I-5 was shut down in the area for several hours during the search. The road has since reopened.
The shooting occurred around 10 p.m. Sunday during a traffic stop at County Road 6 and County Road 99W. Police said Topete fled on foot.
Police said the incident began at about 9:30 p.m. in Davis when police tried to pull Topete's car over after a report that he was drinking and driving. Officials said Topete drove way, and a police pursuit continued north to Dunnigan.
Deputies looked in Topete's abandoned blue Ford sedan and found an infant girl around 3 or 4 months old, who was said to be doing fine. She was identified as Topete's child and was returned to her mother Monday afternoon.
Diaz is the second Yolo County deputy to be killed in the line of duty.
**This is 10 mins from my home people! And it's the second officer to be shot since I started at the court.
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wow, I go to that rest stop all the time. Is that where it took place?
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