From the Office of the District Attorney:
Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged a Pleasant Hill resident with nine felony counts for attempted murder of peace officers, assault with a firearm, and injuring a spouse.
Chunliam Nai Saechao, 40, is being held without bail in the Martinez Detention Facility.
He will be arraigned on charges stemming from a December 8th incident whereby Mr. Saechao – a retired Pittsburg Police officer who may have suffered a mental health episode – barricaded himself in his home for almost three days after he shot at his wife while she was trying to gain entrance to their residence.
During the protracted standoff with police, Mr. Saechao shot at officers who were in the process of evacuating residents from nearby homes. Bullets also struck a police vehicle during the evacuation, which had two officers inside. The officers inside the vehicle did not sustain any injuries.
The complaint filed with the court today lists two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer [PC 187(a)], one count of injuring a spouse [PC 273.5(a)], and six counts of assault with a firearm on a peace officer or firefighter [PC 245(d)(1)]. The charges also come with enhancements for discharging or using a firearm in the offenses.
If convicted, his prison sentence should be exceptionally lengthy.
It’s pretty clear this man is in pain and in need of help, it also clear he’s a danger to his family, neighbors and community.