The Deputy Sheriffs’ Association has set up a relief fund for a deputy wounded in the line of duty in Encinitas.
On Wednesday, Deputy Colin Snodgrass, 27, was shot in the leg during a standoff in Encinitas with suspect Evan Kwik, 22, who barricaded himself inside his mother’s home on Del Rio Avenue after stealing her car.
As deputies were attempting to get Kwik out of the home using tear gas, Kwik opened fire, shooting and wounding Snodgrass, as well as Deputy James Steinmeyer, 31.
After nearly a 24-hour standoff, officials found Kwik dead inside the home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Learn more about the shooting suspect here.
Both Encinitas Station deputies suffered non-life threatening wounds and were transported to a local trauma center.
Dep. Steinmeyer (pictured below) sustained a minor wound to the forehead and was treated and released from the hospital the same day.
Dep. Snodgrass was rushed into surgery and currently remains hospitalized at Scripps Memorial in La Jolla. He underwent a second surgery Thursday and officials say he’s expected to make a slow but full recovery.
According to the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Snodgrass is recovering from severe vascular injuries to his right leg. So far, surgeons have removed bullet fragments and debris from the deputy’s leg and begun reconstruction on the bones.
The recovery process will likely be lengthy for the four-year veteran of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Officials say multiple surgeries and months of recovery are expected at this point.
A relief fund account has been established for Dep. Snodgrass and his family through the San Diego County Credit Union. The account is under “Deputy Colin Snodgrass Support Fund.”
Anyone who would like to contribute to the fund can do so at local SDCCU branches, in person at the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association office in Poway, or by calling the DSA office at (858) 486-9009, ext. 100.
Following Wednesday’s shooting, San Diego County Sheriff William Gore spoke about recent violence against officers at a press conference, saying it’s time for action.
"When we take the oath to serve and protect, we know we are entering a dangerous profession. Four of my deputies have been shot in the last five months. I am tired of going to San Diego County hospitals to see if my deputies are going to live or not,” said Gore.
Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego