A Saturday night traffic stop in Magalia turned into a roadside shootout, crash, and late-night manhunt that ended with a SWAT arrest in Chico, according to authorities. Investigators say the driver crashed off Centerville Road, climbed out, allegedly fired more rounds, then bolted into the dark on foot before officers later tracked him to an apartment in Chico. No injuries were reported, and the suspect was ultimately taken into custody.
A deputy first tried to pull the vehicle over near Wood Drive and Elwood Drive around 9:53 p.m., but the driver refused to stop and the deputy gave chase, according to KCRA. During the pursuit along Centerville Road, the driver allegedly opened fire on the deputy’s vehicle before losing control and crashing into a ditch. The deputy shot back, and the Butte County Sheriff’s Office said neither the deputy nor any bystanders were hurt.
Authorities later identified the suspect as 32-year-old Kristian Michael Stevens, who they say had several outstanding warrants, according to The Sacramento Bee. Working with the Chico Police Department, investigators secured a search warrant for an apartment in the 1100 block of West Sacramento Avenue. A SWAT team moved in and arrested Stevens, who was booked on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer in addition to the outstanding warrants, county officials told the paper.
Investigation and charges
The Butte County Officer Involved Shooting Incident Protocol Team is now reviewing the exchange of gunfire and will submit its findings to the District Attorney’s Office, according to the sheriff’s office. The DA’s office has asked anyone with information about the incident to call 530-538-7411, KCRA reported.
Local context
The case lands in a county already under pressure over how police shootings are handled. Local reporting has highlighted delays and unfinished reviews that have left families and advocates in limbo. ChicoSol reported last year that several officer-involved shooting investigations appeared to stall without clear public resolutions, prompting renewed calls for firm timelines and more transparency from law enforcement.
Sheriff’s officials said Stevens remains in custody and that booking and bail details were not yet available, according to The Sacramento Bee. Authorities are still urging anyone who witnessed the pursuit or has video of the incident to contact the District Attorney’s tip line.
