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John Rector

Gender : Male

Age : 55

Race : White

Date : 03/13/2024

Location : Best Western at 200 S. McDowell Blvd

City : Petaluma

County : Sonoma

State : California

Agency : SWAT, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, Petaluma Police Department

Officer(s) :Nicholas Dellia

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On March 12, 2024, law enforcement officers from the Santa Rosa Police Department, Petaluma Police Department, and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office SWAT team engaged in a standoff at the Best Western motel located at 200 S. McDowell Blvd in Petaluma. The subject, identified as 55-year-old John Rector, was wanted for felony domestic violence, felony vehicle pursuit, felony arson, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
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Officers attempted to serve arrest and search warrants, during which Rector barricaded himself in a motel room, made threats against officers, and discharged his firearm multiple times. After hours of negotiation and the deployment of tear gas, officers heard a muffled gunshot from within the room. Upon entry, they found Rector with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to a hospital, where he died from his injuries on March 15, 2024.
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No officers or civilians were injured during the incident. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office is conducting a full death investigation to determine the exact manner and cause of death.
CBS NEWS
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NUMBER OF CASUALTIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality.
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Last update: 11/30/2024

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/domestic-violence-suspect-in-standoff-with-police-in-petaluma-motel-room-died-of-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound/
https://www.ksro.com/2024/03/13/standoff-at-petaluma-motel-ends-with-suspect-shooting-himself/
https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/domestic-violence-suspect-in-critical-condition-following-santa-rosa-police-standoff/