Full Notification

On July 25, 2021, at 1:00 p.m., the Kern County Sheriff’s Office began receiving 911 calls from 1718 1^st St, in Wasco, Ca.  The 911 callers were reporting a male subject was armed with a firearm and shooting subjects in the residence, along with loud verbal arguments.  Deputies arrived at 1:05 p.m. and were met in the front by a female who said there were two to three shooting victims inside the residence.  At 1:08 p.m., deputies approached the residence and a suspect began shooting at them from inside the residence.
Deputies were not struck at that time and took cover.  They set up a perimeter around the house and requested the SWAT team respond, along with additional units and the California Highway Patrol.
As the SWAT team began arriving, they set up a quick react team to attempt to make entry into the house to rescue the shooting victims inside.  At 2:53 p.m., SWAT team members approached the residence and as they were walking up to the front door, the suspect began shooting at them.  SWAT team members returned fire.  Two SWAT operators were struck by the suspect, and two other SWAT operators were hit by shrapnel from the suspect.  SWAT team members pulled the injured deputies to safety and began rendering medical aid.  Both deputies were transported to a local hospital.  Despite lifesaving efforts, Deputy Phillip Campas succumbed to his injuries.  The additional SWAT member who was transported to the hospital was Deputy Dizander Guerrero, where he was treated and later released.
The SWAT team remained on scene and attempted to communicate with the suspect, but that was unsuccessful.  At various points in the standoff, the suspect fired rounds at the SWAT team from inside the house. 
At 6:28 p.m., the suspect exited a side door to the residence and began climbing onto the roof of the residence while he was armed with an AK-47 style rifle and a handgun.  An additional officer involved shooting occurred, and the suspect was struck.  The suspect was removed from the roof and treated by medical aid.  He was declared deceased at the scene.
Deputies went into the residence and located three victims deceased in the residence, a 42-year-old female, a 24-year-old male and a 17-year-old male.  Deputies also determined that there were two adult females and two children who were inside the residence and escaped as deputies initially arrived.  They were uninjured.
Detectives responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.  The deputies involved in the officer involved shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.  The names of the victims and the suspect will be released at a later time.
Deputy Phillip Campas was a 5-year veteran with the Kern Count Sheriff’s Office and had previously served our country as a United States Marine.  Deputy Campas served the Sheriff’s Office and our community as a patrol deputy, SWAT team member, Honor Guard member, recruit training officer and range instructor.
Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110 or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.
If you would like to assist Deputy Campas’ family, please visit: https://porac.org/fundraiser/deputy-phillip-campas-memorial-fund/
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office has set up an e-mail for condolences and information related to the upcoming memorial.  That e-mail address is [email protected]