Enzo, a K9, was narrowly missed by a bullet and survived the shooting. Photo courtesy of Butte County District Attorney

CHICO, CA (MPG) – On April 22, a Chico man was arraigned in Butte County Superior Court on multiple charges arising out of an officer-involved shooting on April 18, 2024.

Travis Patrick McCarty, 39, of Chico was charged by the Butte County District Attorney with Attempted Murder of Peace Officers, Assault with a Semi-Automatic Firearm on Peace Officers, Shooting into an Occupied Motor Vehicle, Possession of an Assault Rifle, three counts of being a Felon in Possession of Firearm, being a Felon in Possession of Live Ammunition, and Manufacturing/Assembling/Possessing a Ghost Gun.  It is also alleged that McCarty has two prior “strike” convictions and seven prior felony convictions.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said that the charges stem from a domestic dispute between McCarty and his wife.  According to Ramsey, McCarty and his wife separated, and the wife took their infant son to stay with friends living in a gated community off of the Skyway between Chico and Paradise.  According to the records of the Butte County Superior Court, on April 17, 2024, the wife applied for and obtained a Temporary Restraining Order against McCarty which protected herself and the child.

On the evening of April 17, 2024, the Butte County Sheriff’s Department (BCSO) received information that McCarty may attempt to enter the gated community to contact his wife and son.  BCSO also received information that McCarty had access to firearms and might be a threat to his wife and the friends with whom she was staying.  BCSO assigned two deputies and a K9 deputy to attempt to intercept McCarty if he tried to enter the gated community.  The two deputies parked their marked BCSO K9 patrol vehicle inside the gates.

Ramsey said at approximately 1:15 a.m. on April 18, 2024, the deputies saw McCarty’s vehicle pull into the entrance to the gated community.  The deputies then saw McCarty exit his vehicle and walk to the gate.  The deputies exited their patrol vehicle, made their presence known, and attempted to make contact with McCarty.  McCarty shouted at the deputies that he did not want to speak to them and fled back to his vehicle.  The deputies re-entered their patrol vehicle and activated the emergency lights of the patrol vehicle in preparation for an expected vehicle pursuit.

However, after the emergency lights were activated, McCarty fired multiple shots from a 9mm pistol into the front of the patrol vehicle.  At least three of the shots hit the patrol vehicle.  One shot went through the windshield into the passenger compartment of the patrol vehicle, narrowly missing both deputies in the front seat and their K9 (Enzo) in the rear of the vehicle.  Both deputies exited the vehicle and one returned fire.  McCarty was struck in the lower leg and fell to the ground. McCarty was subsequently taken into custody and transported to Enloe Hospital where he was treated and released to the Butte County Jail.

After McCarty was arrested, deputies located a 9mm self-manufactured semi-automatic “ghost gun” near where he fell. Additionally, in his vehicle, investigators found a loaded shotgun, a loaded AR15-style assault rifle, and multiple fully loaded extra magazines.

During a subsequent search of McCarty’s residence, investigators located additional ammunition and equipment used to manufacture firearms.

At the request of prosecutors, Butte County Superior Court Judge Kristen Lucena ordered McCarty held at the Butte County Jail without bail.  McCarty was appointed a public defender and will be back in court for entry of plea on Thursday, April 25.

Ramsey said given the multiple charges, McCarty could be sentenced to life in state prison.  Because of his prior “strike” convictions, McCarty could also be sentenced to 25 years to life if convicted of the Assault with a Semi-Automatic Firearm on Peace Officers and Shooting into an Occupied Motor Vehicle charges.