ORANGEVALE—The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office has released additional details regarding the officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of 67-year-old Kenneth Vaughn on Saturday.
The incident occurred at Vaughn’s residence in the 8600 block of Blythe Avenue in Orangevale. Deputies responded to reports of gunfire in Vaughn’s backyard around 4:15 p.m. A neighbor reported that Vaughn had been discharging a firearm, an illegal act in the densely populated residential area. The complainant also noted that Vaughn had allegedly fired into their pool the previous week but had not reported it at the time.
Upon arrival, deputies attempted to contact Vaughn via phone multiple times without success. As a precaution, they evacuated nearby homes, though some residents chose to shelter in place. By 6:30 p.m., with armored vehicles positioned in front of Vaughn’s residence, deputies established phone communication. Vaughn indicated he had mobility issues preventing him from surrendering and confirmed he was alone and armed. Attempts to use a drone to gain visual contact were unsuccessful.
Throughout the evening, Vaughn opened and closed his front door and window coverings, limiting deputies’ visibility. After obtaining arrest and search warrants, the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail (SWAT) and the Critical Incident Negotiations Team were deployed. Despite hours of negotiation and repeated requests for a peaceful surrender, Vaughn remained uncooperative and allegedly threatened to shoot deputies.
At approximately 9:50 p.m., Vaughn fired a shot toward deputies stationed outside. In response, a SWAT deputy returned fire, striking Vaughn in the torso. Deputies entered the residence to render aid, but Vaughn was pronounced deceased at the scene by fire department personnel.
“The investigation into this incident is still ongoing and will be conducted by the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and Professional Standards Division, which is standard practice for any officer-involved shooting that occurs in the Sheriff’s Office’s jurisdiction,” said Sheriff’s Spokesman Sergeant Amar Gandhi.
Gandhi shared that the department will now undergo and independent review of the shooting and the moments that led up to it.
“An independent review of the incident will be conducted by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. In accordance with the Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures, the deputy involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation,” he said.
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