{"id":206592,"date":"2022-03-24T08:10:45","date_gmt":"2022-03-24T15:10:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=206592"},"modified":"2022-03-24T09:53:01","modified_gmt":"2022-03-24T16:53:01","slug":"californias-thunder-valley-casino-videos-released-on-controversial-shooting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/californias-thunder-valley-casino-videos-released-on-controversial-shooting\/","title":{"rendered":"California\u2019s Thunder Valley Casino Videos Released on Controversial Shooting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recently-released dash-cam and surveillance videos show the escalating events before a deputy shot a driver last year at California\u2019s Thunder Valley Casino Resort<\/a>. He was in a parked SUV in the casino\u2019s parking lot, but then sped away with the deputy leaning into the driver\u2019s door.<\/p>\n

\"Albert
Albert Savala, left, pictured above. At right, are his three children. Savala was shot by a deputy at a California casino parking lot last year. Savala was also charged in connection with the confrontation. (Image: GoFundMe)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Placer County deputy was dragged by the SUV for about 150 yards after the driver hit the gas during the Jan. 11 confrontation in the casino\u2019s east parking lot. The deputy, fearing for his safety, then shot the driver.<\/p>\n

The suspect, Albert Savala III, 30, of Sacramento, Calif., who is Black, was wounded and required treatment at a local hospital.<\/p>\n

\n

He later was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, evading, possession of a firearm, destruction of evidence, and conspiracy. His bond was set at $200,000.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Under standard practice with officer-involved shootings, the deputy was placed on paid administrative leave. He has since returned to duty. He also was injured in the incident and required treatment at a local hospital.<\/p>\n

\n

Because it involved a shooting, the incident was reviewed by the Placer County District Attorney\u2019s Office. They concluded that \u201cThe deputy\u2019s use of force was reasonable and within the bounds of the law,\u201d Angela Musallam, a spokeswoman for the Placer County Sheriff\u2019s Office, told Casino.org<\/em> this week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The sheriff\u2019s office also conducted its own review. The preliminary investigation \u201cindicated the deputy was in compliance with the law and agency policy,\u201d Musallam added.<\/p>\n

Versions Conflict<\/h2>\n

There are conflicting versions of what took place at the parking lot and on nearby streets that day. Musallam said deputies at the parking lot initially questioned Savala after they saw possible motor vehicle violations.<\/p>\n

It appears the SUV may have had a non-functioning blinker. The videos, requested and broadcast by KXTV<\/em>, a California TV station, showed Savala also was told by a deputy his registration was expired.<\/p>\n

But Savala \u201cbecame evasive, argumentative, and refused to follow the deputies\u2019 orders,\u201d Musallam said. The unnamed deputy then told him the SUV was going to be searched.<\/p>\n

The deputy next ordered Savala \u201cto keep his hands on the steering wheel so he could take the keys out of the ignition.”<\/p>\n

As the deputy leaned in to grab the keys, Savala shifted the vehicle into drive to flee. The deputy tried to take control of Savala and the vehicle to prevent him from leaving, but Savala accelerated rapidly and made a sharp turn, causing the deputy to hold onto the vehicle to avoid being run over,\u201d<\/strong> the sheriff’s statement provided to Casino.org<\/em> said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cThe deputy instructed Savala to stop but he refused. Fearing for his life and safety, the deputy fired his service weapon, shooting Savala twice. Savala continued accelerating and jumped a curb, throwing the deputy from the vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Savala then drove onto local streets. Deputies followed him for about two miles. Savala stopped the SUV near Fiddyment Road and Athens Avenue.<\/p>\n

Placer County Sheriff\u2019s detectives said they later located a loaded firearm along Athens Avenue, the route of the pursuit.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A woman in the SUV with Savala was not injured. The two were heading to the casino when deputies pulled the vehicle over.<\/p>\n

Suspect\u2019s Family Wants Justice<\/h2>\n

Savala has said he was not resisting arrest. Savala\u2019s mother also has concerns about the incident.<\/p>\n

His story needs to be heard,\u201d<\/strong> Katina Coronado told California TV station KCRA <\/em>last year about the incident involving her son. “At this point, I want justice.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cHe stated that multiple times that he feared for his life, and again the answer to that was to shoot him,” Coronado told the station.<\/p>\n

Savala repeatedly told the deputy he wanted a supervisor to come to the parking lot. \u201cI know my rights,\u201d he told the deputy.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n<\/span>