A Pleasant Hill man, Chunliam Nai Saechao, 40, is facing nine felony charges, including attempted murder of police officers, after a near-three-day armed standoff that began on December 8. His bail is denied, and he remains in the Martinez Detention Facility.
According to a statement from the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office, the former cop's meltdown kicked off when he reportedly shot at his wife as she tried to get into their home, which led to Saechao barricading himself inside while police efforts to coax him out turned into an intense siege. Shots were fired by Saechao at officers who were all the while evacuating the neighborhood, but thankfully no one was hurt.
The charges filed against Saechao detail two counts of attempted murder on peace officers under PC 187(a), assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer or firefighter under PC 245(d)(1) spread over six counts, and one count of battering his spouse under PC 273.5(a), with added enhancements due to the use of a firearm in committing these alleged crimes.
During the standoff, Saechao fired multiple rounds, one of which struck a police vehicle containing officers. The vehicle was part of the action evacuating nearby residents from the volatile scene, according to the Contra Costa County's official communication.
