Man shot by Fresno County deputies in domestic violence incident identified

Ronald Harris, 36, of Sanger was identified Friday as the man shot by a Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy during a domestic violence incident Thursday afternoon.

Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said Harris remained in a hospital Friday, but was booked electronically on charges of domestic violence, child endangerment, resisting arrest using threat or violence, and assault with a deadly weapon.

The shooting took place at a home on East Ashlan Avenue and North Greenwood Avenue, where a woman and two children under the age of 5 were present.

The woman was able to escape and the children were reported to be OK after the incident. Botti said Harris was conscious when he was airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center.

At 12:30 p.m. Thursday, dispatchers received a call of a woman who reported being choked. Deputies arrived and surrounded the home and called the suspect to come out. After an hour, the suspect emerged in “a threatening manner,” Botti said.

Harris was reportedly holding “bladed weapons” and advancing toward the deputies when one fired his handgun. Another deputy shot the suspect with a less-lethal bean bag.

Botti said the suspect wasn’t fazed and “wanted to fight with the deputies.”

Another deputy arrived and Tased the suspect, who then fell to the ground and was taken into custody.

This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 1:51 PM.