Armed, Wanted Widow Shot By Sheriff's Deputies

A woman wanted by for shooting at a Capitola Police officer last month was shot in the leg after she pointed a gun at herself and threatened a sheriff's deputy with the firearm Sunday, the Sheriff's Office reported.

The incident unfolded at a home at 383 Nicasio Way in Soquel around 11:45 a.m., according to the Sheriff's Office.

Amanda Sloan, 30, has been a fugitive from the law since she shot at Capitola police officers from her moving vehicle during a high-speed chase on Soquel San Jose Road in mid-November.

Sunday morning, sheriff's deputies got word that Sloan had returned to the Nicasio Way house where her husband Jeff Smith was gunned down in August. Three deputies went to the rural home and set up a perimeter while additional officers responded, according to a statement prepared by Lt. Fred Plageman.

Sloan fired a shot from the house as deputies arrived, Plageman reported. She then exited the house, pointed the gun at herself and also aimed it at a deputy in a threatening manner, according to the Sheriff's Office.

When she ignored commands to put down the gun and surrender, a deputy fired several shots from his department-issued rifle at Sloan. She was hit in the leg, according to Plageman.

Sloan earlier stated that she wanted to commit suicide by cop, according to a report in the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

No one else was injured Sunday. The name of the deputy who fired his rifle has not been released.

Sloan was arrested on a $900,000 warrant for attempted murder of a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and failing to yield to an officer—all charges stemming from the November incident with Capitola police, according to the Sheriff's Office. Additional charges are expected.

Sloan was taken to an undisclosed medical facility where she was listed in stable condition Sunday evening, according to Plageman.

The Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney's Office are investigating the shooting, Plageman said.