x
Breaking News
More () »

Newman manhunt: Tip leads detectives to suspect vehicle outside Newman

Authorities continue to search for a suspect believed to have shot and killed Newman Cpl. Ronil Singh, whose death leaves behind a wife and 5-month old son.

If viewing on the ABC10 app, click HERE for multimedia

NEWMAN, Calif. -- The search continues in Northern California, for the man suspected of fatally shooting Newman Police Cpl. Ronil Singh during a traffic stop. 

Update 7:37 p.m.: 

Newman Police Chief Randy Richardson will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27, according to a tweet by the Stanislaus Sheriff's Department. 

The conference will be held at 11 a.m. at the Newman Police Department on Main Street. The Stanislaus Sheriff's Department will also be present to answer questions. 

RELATED: Newman Food's clerk gives vivid description of suspect's behavior before fatal shooting

Update: 3:58 p.m.

Detectives served a search warrant on the 26000 block of river Road, just outside of Newman. Working off of a tip, authorities were able to locate the suspect's truck — a grey Dodge Ram pickup — and have now processed it for evidence. 

Credit: Lena Howland
Reporter Lena Howland shot this photo of the suspect's truck just before authorities towed it away.

The suspect, whose identity is still unknown, is wanted for the death of Police Cpl. Ronil Singh. 

RELATED: Newman community mourns slain Cpl. Ronil Singh

Authorities are going off of surveillance photos taken at a convenience store shortly before the shooting. The suspect is heavyset, with short dark hair. He was last seen wearing a chain necklace, jeans, a dark hoodie and a dark-colored T-shirt. 

Anyone with information about this incident, like the name or whereabouts of the suspect, is asked to contact Detective Michael Fisher at 209-525-7083 or at 209-552-2468.

Update: 3:10 p.m.

Authorities launched a manhunt Wednesday after they said a gunman shot and killed a police officer during a traffic stop in a small California town.

In an alert, the California Highway Patrol said the suspect, whose name was not known, is considered to be armed and dangerous.

Newman Cpl. Officer Ronil Singh, 33, had called in the traffic stop early Wednesday, saying he was pulling over a grey Dodge pickup truck that had no license plate, and a few minutes later reported shots fired over his radio, Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department Deputy Royjinder Singh said.

Multiple agencies responded and found Singh with gunshot wounds. They rushed the husband and father of an infant boy to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Ground and air units were searching for the suspect based on surveillance photos taken at a convenience store shortly before the attack in Newman, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of San Francisco.

In the photos, the heavyset suspect with short dark hair is wearing a thick chain necklace, jeans, a dark hoodie and dark-colored T-shirt. Surveillance footage also captured the suspect's vehicle, a grey Dodge Ram pickup with paper dealership plates, matching the description that Singh had called in.

"We have sent out information to law enforcement up and down the state, as well as outside California," said Sgt. Tom Letras, a sheriff's spokesman.

Singh was a native of Fiji and had worked since July 2011 for the police department in Newman, a town of about 10,000 people. Earlier in his career, Singh worked as a deputy with the Merced County Sheriff's Department.

"He was living the American dream," said Stanislaus deputy Singh, who is not related to the slain officer but knew him. After emigrating from Fiji, Ronil Singh went to the police academy and got his dream job, the deputy said, adding that "he loved camping, loved hunting, loved fishing, loved his family."

On his Facebook page, Ronil Singh posted pictures on Christmas Eve from a deep-sea fishing trip that produced a big haul of crabs and fish. The profile picture shows him smiling as he stands at a patrol car with a dog — the same photograph of the officer released by the sheriff's department.

Singh is survived by his wife, Anamika, and a 5-month-old son, authorities said.

Outgoing California Gov. Jerry Brown offered condolences to Singh's family and said flags at the Capitol would fly at half-staff in his honor.

"Our hearts are with the entire community of Newman and law enforcement officers across the state who risk their lives every day to protect and serve the people of California," Brown said.

___

Associated Press journalist Amanda Lee Myers in Los Angeles contributed to this story.

Update: 12:30 p.m. 

The suspect involved in the shooting of Newman Cpl. officer Ronil Singh is still on the run, according to authorities.

Cpl. Singh was shot and killed after conducting a traffic stop around 1 a.m. on Wednesday.

After the incident, Singh's partner responded to the scene and found him on the ground with gunshot wounds. Singh was transported to a hospital but would eventually succumb to his injuries. 

Authorities with the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department have currently focused their efforts on locating the vehicle and suspect in the incident and determining his identity. 

The sheriff's department took over the investigation after making an offer to do so, which Newman Police Department, an agency with only 13 sworn officers, accepted. 

They'll also be handling day to day operations in Newman while Officer Singh's colleagues grieve.

Deputy Royjinder Singh, spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, says the suspect is to be considered armed and dangerous. If the suspect is seen, those with information should call 9-1-1 immediately.  

Ronil Singh joined the Newman Police Department in 2011 and served as a K-9 handler. His dog was with him but was uninjured during the incident. Singh is survived by his wife, 5-month old son, his parents, and brother.

Original story:

As of the last check, the suspect involved in the shooting death of a Newman Corporal is still on the run.

Deputy Royjinder Singh, spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, says that Officer Singh 

The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help identifying and locating the man they believe killed a Newman corporal the day after Christmas.

According to a press release from the sheriff's department, around 1 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26, Newman Corporal Ronil Singh, 33, was shot and killed during a traffic stop. 

Singh was conducting a traffic stop at the intersection of Merced Street and Eucalyptus Avenue when he reported a 'shots fired' call over the radio. When back-up arrived, the suspect had fled the scene and Singh was found with gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the hospital where he eventually died from his injuries. 

Newman is about 25 miles south of Modesto.

The suspect fled and is still on the loose. Officials with the sheriff's department said the suspect was driving a gray, extended cab Dodge Ramp pick-up truck, the model believed to be between 2002 and 2009. 

Credit: Source: Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department
The truck of the suspect believed to be involved in the Newman officer involved shooting.

Singh was a native of Fiji and was an officer with the Newman Police Department since July 2011.

“Our Newman Police family is devastated by the loss of Ronil,” Newman Police Chief Randy Richardson said in the press release. “If anyone has any information regarding the identity of the suspect, please contact law enforcement immediately so we can get this cop-killer off the streets.”

Anyone with information about this incident or the whereabouts of the suspect is asked to contact Detective Michael Fisher at 209-525-7083 or at 209-552-2468.

Before You Leave, Check This Out