Lemoore murder suspect caught and killed by Kings law enforcement officers

The officers had been in pursuit of the suspect, Juan Luis Castro, suspected of killing 40-year-old Danielle Dever Jones, found by Lemoore police officers after having been shot multiple times.

It was on Sunday, Nov. 17 at about 2:34 p.m. that Lemoore officers responded to shots fired on Cabrillo Street in Lemoore. When they arrived on the scene they found the deceased woman.

According to the Fresno Bee, Valdez and Castro were in a relationship for four years and lived together in Lemoore. The motive for the killing remains under investigation.

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Officers quickly identified a suspect as 43-year-old Castro who had earlier left the scene. They knew the make of vehicle he was driving.

Juan Castro was previously arrested in Kings County for weapons, narcotics and traffic offenses.

At about 3:45 p.m., officers from the Hanford Police Department located the suspect vehicle near Hanford-Armona Road and Irwin Street in Hanford. Officers attempted to stop the car, but instead, Castro led them on a pursuit. The officers sought assistance from the California Highway Patrol and its helicopter.

The pursuit lasted about ten minutes and ended at 9th Avenue approximately 100 yards south of Jersey Ave. Police used a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver to force the suspect to stop.

Officers from the Hanford Police Department requested canine assistance from the Kings County Sheriff's Office.  Officers from the Hanford Police Department and deputies from the Kings County Sheriff's Office gave several commands that Castro surrender.  Castro refused to comply, forcing sheriff’s deputies to use their canine.

The canine, Dash, and his handler approached the suspect's vehicle. Castro was the sole occupant of the car, but as they approached, Castro raised his gun and fired at the deputy.  The deputy and one other deputy, and a Hanford officer returned fire.

The suspect was struck and died at the scene.  Castro fired at least one round. Two deputies and one Hanford Police Officer fired approximately nine shots. 

Kings County Canine "Dash" was also struck by gunfire.  The California Highway Patrol transported both "Dash" and his handler to an emergency veterinarian in Fresno.  "Dash" went into surgery overnight and had bullet fragments removed from his leg.  He is currently recovering, and his prognosis is unknown.