A California police officer who’d only been on the job a few weeks has died after being shot by a suspect who later turned the gun on himself.
Davis Police Department officials say 22-year-old Officer Natalie Corona was gunned down after responding to a multi-vehicle crash in the area of Fifth and C streets near downtown at 6.45pm on Thursday.
Corona was rushed to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, where she later died.
Rookie killed: Davis police officer Natalie Corona (pictured at police academy graduation), 22, was shot and killed in the California city Thursday, after only a few weeks on the job
Rookie killed: Davis police officer Natalie Corona (pictured during her swearing-in ceremony with her dad on August 2), 22, was shot and killed in the California city Thursday, after only a few weeks on the job
Corona wore her love for the police on her sleeve, as evidenced by her Facebook profile picture showing her posing in a floor-length blue gown while holding an American flag with a blue line honoring law enforcement
Following the shooting, police issued a citywide shelter in place order as officers spent hours scouring the city in search of the suspect.
The shooter, described as a white male in his 20s, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a house, after an hours-long standoff with police at 1.30am Friday.
Officers say the suspect had repeatedly disregarded commands to exit the house with his hands up.
Police have not identified the suspect, nor determined what prompted the shooting.
Corona, whose father is a 26-year veteran of the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office, graduated from the Sacramento Police Department’s training academy in July, was sworn in on August 2 and completed her field training just before Christmas, reported the Sacramento Bee.
Corona was gunned down after responding to a multi-vehicle crash in downtown Davis (pictured is the scene after the shooting)
The patrol vehicle driven by Corona is taken away on a flatbed truck Friday in Davis
Flowers lay near the scene where Corona was shot and killed Thursday night in Davis
During her swearing-in ceremony, Corona’s, father, Merced Corona, pinned a badge on her uniform and was quoted as saying that his daughter is excited to join the force and is dedicated to the profession.
Corona first joined the police department in 2016 as a community service officer. When the agency ran out of funds for her position, she continued showing up to work as an unpaid volunteer.
‘She was a rising star in the department,” Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel said during a news conference Thursday night. ‘She just worked like you can’t believe.’
In early December, Corona was photographed bringing presents to the new home of a wildfire victim from Paradise, California, who had lost everything in the Camp Fire.
‘We are always proud of the work our officers do, but have a little extra pride today,’ the caption read.
Corona graduated from the Sacramento Police Department’s training academy in July (left). She first joined the police department in 2016 as a community service officer
In December, Corona was photographed bringing presents to the new home of a wildfire victim from Paradise, California, who had lost everything in the Camp Fire
Corona wore her love for the police on her sleeve, as evidenced by her Facebook profile picture showing her posing in a floor-length blue gown while holding an American flag with a blue line honoring law enforcement.
She wrote in a status update in 2016: ‘I would like this photograph to serve as my gratitude for all those law enforcement men and women who have served, who are currently serving, and those who have died in the line of duty protecting our liberties in this great country.’
Corona is the first Davis police officer to die in the line of duty in 60 years.
Dozens of family and friends have offered their ‘thoughts and prayers’ for the rookie cop.
Nancy Reynoso-Williams offered her ‘deepest condolences’ for the loss of Officer Corona.
‘She was a beautiful lady and now a beautiful angel. No words of gratitude can express the ultimate sacrifice of Officer Corona . Know your whole family is surrounded by prayers and love. My heart is broken.’
City of Davis Police Department posted on Facebook today: ‘On this gray morning, our flags fly at half mast for Officer Corona. Thank you for the outpouring of support for Natalie, her family and our Davis PD Family.’
Local council member Angelique Ashby added that the community was stunned by the ‘absolutely devastating’ news.
‘The Davis Police Department has not lost an officer in well over 50 years. This senseless loss is shocking and heartbreaking. Officer Corona wanted only to do good, to serve and to protect,’ she said.