Body Cam SWAT Fatally Shoot kidnapper and Rescued Hostage Woman

Modesto, CA --- The Modesto Police Department is released body cameras of an officer involved shooting critical incident involving the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office that occurred on July 17th, 2019.
In this critical incident, members of the Stanislaus County SWAT team rescued the victim of a hostage taking crime. The critical incident unfolded rapidly and was over in mere seconds.

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office had been actively investigating a reported false imprisonment and suspected kidnapping , and had identified 52 year old Stephen Murray as the suspect in their case. The victim of the kidnapping, an adult female known to Stephen, had been held against her will and the Sheriff’s Office was able to confirm this. The Sheriff’s Office was able to obtain a Ramey warrant for the arrest of Stephen for false imprisonment, and weapons violations. Stephen also had an active warrant for his arrest for auto theft. Investigators were able to make contact with both Stephen, and the victim, and attempted multiple times to resolve the situation peacefully but were unsuccessful in their attempts.

At approximately 10:02pm Wednesday night, Deputies with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office located Stephen, on foot in the area of Vine St and Madison St. Stephen was walking with the adult female victim when he was contacted by the Deputies. When the Deputies contacted Stephen, he was non-compliant with orders and held the adult female victim hostage. Stephen placed the adult female between himself and the Deputies, while armed with a weapon that was later deemed to be a replica firearm. Deputies attempted to resolve the situation peacefully, however Stephen was not compliant and shots were fired by the responding Deputies.

After shots had been fired by the responding Deputies, the adult female victim was safely rescued and was not injured. The adult female victim is cooperating with investigators.

Stephen succumbed to his injuries at scene.

The Deputies involved in this incident have been placed on paid administrative leave as this is standard in any officer involved shooting investigation. A joint, collaborative investigation into this incident has been launched by the Modesto Police Department, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, and Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. The Modesto Police Department is handling the criminal investigation because the shooting occurred within the City of Modesto.