(KMJ) – The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office says the suspect who exchanged gunfire with Deputies on Thursday morning is a veteran who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Deputies pulled over Brian Ballasch after he was driving erratically Thursday morning just south of Mariposa on Highway 49. Deputies say after a short verbal exchange, he started shooting at them.
One Deputy, a 10-year veteran of the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department, was struck at least twice (once in the face and once in the upper torso). He was flown to Modesto where he underwent surgery. The Department says he is now in stable condition.
Ballasch was struck in the right ear and right elbow during the gun fire. He was taken to an area hospital where he, too, is now is stable condition.
Deputies say he is from the Merced area and suffers from PTSD after serving in the United States Marine Corps.
He is currently being held on a charge of attempted murder of a peace officer.
