[Photo: File]
UPDATE – Response to Criminal Charge Filed Against Deputy Sheriff: The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is aware that the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has chosen to file an involuntary manslaughter charge against Deputy Sheriff Jared Mullis in relation to the death of Sergeant Rod Lucas. The untimely death of Sgt. Lucas has taken an emotional toll on the entire staff at the Sheriff’s Office, the Lucas family, Deputy Mullis and his family. Deputy Mullis is still an employee of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and is currently on paid leave.
FRESNO, CA, (KMJ) – The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has filed criminal charge in the deadly shooting of Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Rod Lucas, last year.
The charge was Involuntary Manslaughter with an enhancement for the personal use of a firearm against Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jared Mullis.
These charges arise out of the October 31, 2016 fatal shooting of Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Rod Lucas (pictured above).
This complaint was filed after a thorough investigation of the shooting.
Prior to the complaint being filed in Fresno County Superior Court, District Attorney Lisa A. Smittcamp met with the family of Sgt. Lucas to advise them that criminal charges were forthcoming.
Arraignment on the complaint will be at a time and place to be determined.
Sheriff Margaret Mims discussed the investigation back in January. Sheriff Mims said at the time that Detective Mullis did know that the gun was loaded.
“Our belief is that this was a horrible, horrible accident,” said Mims in an interview with KMJ on Friday. “There is no indication that there was anything intentional with this act. It’s very unfortunate, very sad. We’re still extremely upset and sad that we lost Sgt. Lucas as a result of this. But our investigation does show that the weapon was not in the hands of Sgt. Lucas, but the other deputy.” -Sheriff Margaret Mims.
