Man, detective shot

A Calaveras County sheriff’s deputy was shot Thursday following a traffic pursuit in the Rail Road Flat area.

The incident happened about 3:40 p.m., according to Sheriff’s spokesman Dave Seawell.

Detectives confirmed a vehicle they had been following was stolen out of San Andreas and, after a traffic stop attempt failed, a chase ensued.

The suspect, Michael D. Thompson, 29, of Mokelumne Hill, stopped on the 5900 block of Rail Road Flat Road, just west of Swiss Ranch Road, Seawell said.

Thompson then attempted to flee again in the vehicle, Seawell said, dragging a detective in the process as well as opening fire, Seawell said. 

A second detective then opened fire on the suspect vehicle, out of fear for the first officer, and hit Thompson several times, Seawell said.

One of the detectives, identified only as a male, was shot in the shoulder. The detective’s injuries did not appear life threatening, Seawell said.