A white supremacist was killed during a shootout with deputies in Templeton, Calif., this week, according to officials.
The San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Christopher Michael Straub, 38, near a cemetery on Thursday morning.
Straub allegedly got out of his vehicle and ran through the vineyards in the cemetery. He then hid and allegedly ambushed deputies, firing multiple rounds at them with a handgun, according to the news release.
Straub allegedly took off again and continued evading authorities, attempting to return to his car through the vineyard. However, additional deputies had arrived on scene and intercepted him while he was trying to get back into his car.
After the incident, officials discovered multiple weapons in Straub’s car including four assault rifles, one bolt action hunting rifle, one shotgun and two handguns in addition to the handgun he allegedly used to shoot at deputies.
A search warrant was also executed at his home and law enforcement discovered he was illegally manufacturing parts for weapons, according to an additional news release.
He was a known member of a white supremacist gang, according to law enforcement, and the Sheriff’s Gang Task Force was already conducting an investigation before Thursday’s shooting.