2 killed in Napa shooting: Suspect in custody after chase, self-inflicted gunshot wound
NAPA, Calif. - A man is in custody after allegedly killing a man and a woman at a Napa apartment complex on Thursday. According to police, the suspect led law-enforcement officials on a chase where he eventually shot and injured himself and was hospitalized.
The Napa Police Department said they received a report of a shooting on the 700 block of Lincoln Avenue at around 9:45 a.m.
When they arrived, police found a man and a woman outside the residence. Both were suffering from gunshot wounds. Efforts were made to save the victims' lives, but they were pronounced dead at the scene.
Napa police cordoned off the apartment complex where the shooting happened.
Police issued an alert shortly after 12:45 p.m. asking people to avoid the area while officers investigated the shooting.
At around 1:30 p.m., a Napa police officer spotted the suspect driving a vehicle near Juarez and 2nd streets. Police turned on their sirens and lights and tried to stop the suspect's car, but the suspect fled from multiple officers. The suspect drove to Kennedy Park where the vehicle became disabled, though it isn't clear how the vehicle became disabled.
Napa police posted to social media that Kennedy Park, about 3.5 miles from the scene of the shooting, was closed due to police activity. The public was asked to avoid the area.
A witness to the chase in the park, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they filmed the chase's conclusion involving multiple law enforcement agencies at the park at around 1:39 p.m. Several law enforcement vehicles were seen trailing a black car as it pulled into a parking lot.
In another video taken from the vantage point of the skate park near Kennedy Park, a helicopter can be seen circling overhead as the scene unfolds.
Napa police and the Napa County Sheriff's Department responded to the park to take the suspect into custody. Police said the suspect, identified as Baltazar Rangel Juarez, 28, of Napa, refused to exit the car. He then allegedly armed himself with a firearm and shot himself after refusing to surrender. He was taken into custody at around 5 p.m. and transported to a local hospital.
The extent of the suspect's injuries was not provided by police. Juarez was charged with two counts of murder. The victims' names will be released by the Napa County Coroner's Office.
Napa police updated their social media post at 8:45 p.m. to say Kennedy Park was reopened.
Police said there is no ongoing threat to the public.
This case remains an active and open homicide investigation.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
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