Davis police officer fatally shot, suspect found dead
DAVIS, Calif. -- A 22-year old Davis police officer was shot and killed as she responded to a traffic accident late Thursday night. The suspected gunman has taken his own life, according to police.
Just before midnight, Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel announced 22-year-old Officer Natalie Corona passed away after being taken to the hospital. Corona was shot when she responded to a three-car crash near 5th and D streets. It's unknown if the suspect was involved in the crash.
Later, officers surrounded a nearby home. They sent in a robot and also exploded what appeared to be flash-bang grenades. Just before 1:30 a.m., police announced the suspect was found dead with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The suspect was described as a white male in his 20s.
Officer Corona started her career at the Davis Police Department in 2016 as a community service officer.
She had just completed the Sacramento's police academy last July. According to the Williams Pioneer Review, She was sworn in as a Davis police officer on August 2.
Officer Corona had just got out of the department's field training program just before Christmas and had only been on the streets for a couple of weeks.
"She was a rising star within the department. And, I've known her for a couple of years. And, she started as a part-time employee volunteer. And, I can tell you that I haven't seen anybody work harder in a part-time capacity and be more motivated to be a police officer than Natalie," said Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel.
Officer Corona is survived by her parents. Her father is a 26 year veteran of the Colusa County Sheriff's Office. He was just sworn in as Colusa County District 1 Supervisor on Monday.
Governor Gavin Newsom released a statement regarding the death of Officer Corona:
"Jennifer and I are terribly saddened to learn of the death of Officer Corona. Officer Corona was protecting her community from harm when she was tragically shot in the line of duty. Despite the valiant efforts of paramedics who rushed her to the hospital, and UC Davis Medical Center personnel, she succumbed to her injuries. We join all Californians in mourning the loss of this courageous officer and extend our deepest condolences to Officer Corona's family, friends, and coworkers."
