California: an incredible chase to stop a police killer

Dozens of police vehicles chased a fugitive on the highways of Southern California. In such impressive numbers that these images are reminiscent of Steven Spielberg’s film, “Sugarland Express”. The police were not going to let go of their prey because it was a man who had just shot one of their colleague.

Shortly before 2 p.m. on Thursday, police officer Isaiah Cordero, who had worked for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office for 8 years, arrested a motorist in Jurupa Valley, east of Los Angeles. After getting off his motorcycle, he approached the vehicle and that’s when the driver fired at him. Despite help from passers-by, the 32-year-old agent succumbed to his injuries.

The suspect’s pickup truck was then spotted in neighboring San Bernardino County and a high-speed chase involving more and more police vehicles began, says CBS. The hunt continued on several highways, eventually returning to Riverside County. An armored vehicle then managed to ram the fleeing vehicle and pinned it to the side of the road in Norco. The driver then opened fire on the police who returned fire and shot him dead.

The suspect, identified as William Shae McKay, 44, died at the scene. The man had a long criminal history with convictions for kidnapping, theft and multiple assaults with a deadly weapon.

His most recent conviction dates from November 2021 for kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon. His bail had been reduced by a judge, allowing him to be released. He was later rearrested for failing to show up for his sentencing hearing, but “that same judge released him again,” Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said. “We wouldn’t be here today if the judge had done his job,” Bianco told reporters.

On Thursday evening, the body of the slain police officer was taken in a procession from a hospital to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office in nearby Perris. Dozens of police lined up in front of the hospital to pay their respects.