Sheriff's deputy killed during shootout in California

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sacramento police shooting

Rich Pedroncelli/AP

A suspect believed to be involved in the shooting of law enforcement officers is taken from the scene by Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputies, Wednesday, Aug. 30, in Sacramento, California.

A deputy was killed after a shootout during a stolen vehicle investigation that led to a police pursuit and a standoff at a hotel in Sacramento, California, on Wednesday.

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Three California police officers were shot with a high-powered assault rifle during the investigation, in which a car chase took officers to a hotel where they were hit by the gunfire. Two California Highway Patrol officers are expected to recover, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

Dozens of police cars and hundreds of armed officers have surrounded the hotel, where authorities said there may be two more suspects inside after three were taken into custody, Sacramento County Sheriff's Department spokesman Tony Turnball said.

One male suspect who was shot is also in the hospital. Two women are also in custody. Their names were not released.

The incident began when authorities said the women led CHP officers on a vehicle chase in what was believed to be a stolen car. When the chase ended, the women were taken into custody and the police learned one of them had booked a hotel room in Sacramento.

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Officers went to search the hotel. When they announced themselves, they were hit with gunfire coming from inside the room. Authorities say a man inside the room then left through the back, where he shot a sheriff's deputy. The man was hit with return gunfire.

Jeff Marshall, who lives near the hotel, said he heard gunshots and then tires squealing and saw a grey Dodge Charger speed by his home, going the wrong way down a busy street.

Marshall estimated he heard 12 shots.

"It was like the wild West," Marshall said.