William Mattias Kreuzer, 38, was killed when he pointed a firearm at them following pursuit after beating ex-spouse over several days
A Rancho Cordova man killed Sunday in an officer-involved shooting on Interstate 80 after a domestic violence call and pursuit has been identified as 38-year-old William Mattias Kreuzer, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:47 a.m. Sunday, July 5, on eastbound I-80 between Greenback Lane and Antelope Road in Citrus Heights, after deputies pursued Kreuzer from the Rancho Cordova area. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Kreuzer had a firearm and pointed it at deputies, prompting at least one deputy to open fire.
The incident began around 10 a.m. when the Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a call of a battered and bloody woman screaming for help in the 2200 block of Zinfandel Drive in Rancho Cordova. As deputies were responding, additional 911 calls came in as the woman went door to door seeking help. Sheriff’s officials said one resident eventually allowed the woman inside to wait for deputies.
Deputies contacted the woman, who reported surviving three days of beatings by her ex-husband. According to the Sheriff’s Office, she told deputies she had been beaten, pistol-whipped and strangled until she lost consciousness. She also reported another assault occurred that morning and said she “played dead” until the suspect left the room, allowing her to flee and seek help.
The woman told deputies she did not know where the suspect was but believed he may still be at her residence. She also warned deputies that he had a pistol and was always armed, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
When deputies went to the residence, the suspect was not there and the woman’s vehicle was missing. Deputies issued a be-on-the-lookout alert for the vehicle to surrounding law enforcement agencies.
North Patrol deputies later located the vehicle on Fair Oaks Boulevard near Kenneth Avenue and attempted a traffic stop. The suspect fled, initiating a pursuit that eventually traveled onto eastbound I-80. According to the California Highway Patrol, Kreuzer stopped and made a U-turn while still on the freeway before the confrontation that led to the shooting.
Deputies recovered a firearm after the shooting, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Kreuzer was pronounced dead at the scene by Sacramento Metro Fire Department personnel. No deputies were injured.
The woman suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment, sheriff’s officials said.
Booking records show Kreuzer had multiple prior arrests in Sacramento County in recent months, including arrests tied to domestic violence-related allegations. Records list a Dec. 10, 2025, arrest for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant; a Feb. 4, 2026, arrest for evasion with wanton disregard for safety; and a Feb. 27, 2026, arrest listed as warrants or holds only.
Records also show Kreuzer was arrested March 24, 2026, by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office on allegations of resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer and battery on a spouse, cohabitant or former spouse. A separate listing shows an arrest date of March 26, 2026, with bail set at $25,000.
The officer-involved shooting investigation remains ongoing and is being handled by the California Highway Patrol. The Sheriff’s Office Homicide Bureau and Professional Standards Division will conduct parallel investigations, and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent review of the incident. The deputies involved will be placed on administrative leave under Sheriff’s Office policy while the investigation continues.
Eastbound I-80 was closed for approximately nine hours Sunday as investigators processed the scene.
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