Manhunt underway after police officer is gunned down in Stanislaus County

A manhunt was underway Wednesday for a man suspected of fatally shooting a police officer during a traffic stop early Wednesday in Stanislaus County.

Cpl. Ronil Singh, 33, radioed that he was pulling over a vehicle at 12:57 a.m. at Merced Street and Eucalyptus Avenue in Newman, authorities said. A few minutes later, he called out “shots fired” over the radio, they said.

Officers who responded found Singh had been shot. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. The motorist who had been stopped was gone, police said.

Singh, a native of Fiji, had worked for the Newman Police Department since 2011. He previously served with the Merced County Sheriff’s Department.

“Our Newman police family is devastated by the loss of Ronil,” Chief Randy Richardson said in a prepared statement. “If anyone has any information regarding the identity of the suspect, please contact law enforcement immediately.”

Gov. Jerry Brown ordered flags at the Capitol be flown at half-staff following Singh’s death.

“Our hearts are with the entire community of Newman and law enforcement officers across the state who risk their lives every day to protect and serve the people of California.”

Singh, who served in a K-9 patrol unit, is survived by a wife and young son.

A gray, extended-cab Dodge Ram pickup was seen in the area at the time of the shooting, authorities said. Police detectives released photos of a man suspected in the shooting and are asking for the public’s help in finding him. It was not clear how the man was linked to the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Michael Fisher at (209) 525-7083 or the department’s dispatchers at (209) 552-2468.

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