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One deputy with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office died and another was wounded Sunday afternoon as they attempted to free hostages that a gunman was holding inside a home in Wasco, a town 24 miles northwest of Bakersfield, according to city and sheriff’s officials.
Kern County Sheriff’s Lt. Joel Swanson said during a news conference that the two deputies suffered moderate to major injuries. He said both were taken to a local hospital and at least one was in critical condition.
Several hours later, the Kern County Detention Officers Assn. said one of the deputies had been killed in the line of duty. Shortly after, Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia released a statement confirming the deputy’s death.