New details emerge of Davis Police Officer's ambush murder

ByJulianne Herrera and Cornell Barnard KGO logo
Friday, January 11, 2019
Davis police release new details on the night 22-year-old Officer Natalie Corona was killed
Davis Police are releasing new details about the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Officer Natalie Corona.

DAVIS, Calif. (KGO) -- Davis Police are releasing new details about the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Officer Natalie Corona.

In a press conference Friday night, 24 hours after Corona was killed, police detailed the finding of the shooting suspect.

RELATED: Flags, flowers fill Davis in honor of slain police Officer Natalie Corona

While Corona was responding to a multi-car collision, the suspect rode up on a bicycle, in the shadows, and opened fire.

"This clearly to us was an ambush," said Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel.

He hit Officer Corona once, and she fell to the ground, police said.

Then, the suspect continued shooting her, unloading an entire magazine.

RELATED: Rookie Davis cop following in dad's footsteps shot at crash scene

When he was out of bullets, the suspect reloaded and began shooting in other directions, police said.

Firetrucks were struck by the gunfire. A firefighter was hit in the boot, but not injured. A bystander wearing a backpack says the backpack was hit by a bullet.

No one was injured, except for Officer Corona.

The Davis Police Department provides an update on the shooting that took the life of an officer.

Police say after his shooting rampage, the gunman fled southbound on C Street toward 3rd Street. He then circled back up E Street, confronting residents.

RELATED: Two rookie police officers shot and killed in two days

He found a roommate of his and reportedly acted like nothing had happened. They went inside a residence and watched as officers swarmed the area, police said.

Officers soon found him using info they got from a backpack he dropped.

The suspect came outside the residence with a ballistic vest on, and appeared to be unarmed.

Then he went inside, and returned with a gun, then went back inside. This is when police heard a gunshot.

RELATED: Residents of Davis mourn the loss of young police officer

A robot with a camera was sent inside, and this is how officers discovered the suspect was dead.

His identity is not being released.

A motive for the shooting remains unknown. The department says Officer Corona had never encountered the man before while on duty.

A candlelight vigil to honor Officer Corona is planned for 6pm on Saturday in Davis.

Read more about Officer Natalie Corona and the investigation of her death.