US: Indian-origin law enforcement officer charged with staging shooting incident
What's the story
An Indian-origin law enforcement officer, Sukhdeep Gill, who held the post of Deputy at Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office in California, was arrested on Friday for allegedly faking a shocking drive-by shooting incident last year, authorities have announced. Gill on January 31, 2020, had reported that he was shot from a passing car as he stood on a dark rural road.
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No serious injuries were found on Gill
"Following the incident when the officers responded, no serious injuries were found on Gill and it appeared that he had been shot only once on his body camera, which was destroyed," the report said, citing a statement issued by the District Attorney's office.
Gill's statement
Gill alleged a passenger in a silver sedan shot him
Gill's report triggered a manhunt for the alleged shooter. He told the officers that he had parked on the dirt shoulder to urinate during a routine patrol. "While walking back toward the driver side of his patrol car he was shot at by the passenger in a silver sedan that had turned off its lights as it approached him," Gill added.
Information
The deputy's story fell apart during an intensive investigation
The Office of the District Attorney, County of Santa Clara said in a press release, "The deputy's story fell apart during an intensive investigation." "Gill has been charged with staging a shocking ambush in which he said he was shot from a passing car as he stood on a dark rural road near Morgan Hill," the release added.
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Charged with felony vandalism and falsely reporting crime
The release said, "Now Gill, who has been with the Sheriffs' Office since 2016, has been charged with felony vandalism and falsely reporting a crime, a misdemeanor. He faces incarceration if convicted. Gill was arrested on Friday after a warrant was issued."
Gill's lawyer's statement
Gill has a court appearance scheduled for March 1
Gill's attorney, Nicole Pifari, issued a brief statement that said, "For now, all I can say is we are looking forward to getting our hands on the investigation and the evidence to understand why these charges are being pursued." "Gill was released on his own recognizance and has a court appearance scheduled for March 1," CNN reported.
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Gill's actions abused trust of his fellow officers: District Attorney
District Attorney Jeff Rosen said, "This case is bewildering and deeply disappointing. Deputy Gill's actions abused the trust of his fellow officers and diverted public safety resources away from protecting the community to investigate a made-up crime."