Man fatally shot by CHPD after firing at Sunrise Mall, then at cops
Photo: Grayson Schuesler
CITRUS HEIGHTS – On July 9th an Orangevale man fired a gunshot in the Sunrise Mall parking lot, hitting a storefront window at Macy’s. Officers with the Citrus Heights Police Department responded, spotting 26-year-old Grayson Schuessler as he ran down Greenback Lane.
note the hair on the headrest
The suspect headed toward Burger King. K-9 Officer Axel and his handler arrived, and Axel was released to apprehend Schuessler. As Axel came upon Schuessler, the man fired a shot in the direction of the officers.
He then took off but Axel caught him. Citrus Heights Police Lt. Dave Gutierrez said, “The male subject fired two rounds at point-blank range directly towards the K-9’s head, as well as towards the officers.”
Officers returned fire and Schuessler died at the scene. He was on felony probation for elder abuse. His gun was a .357 Magnum, and he had 20 more rounds of ammunition in his possession.
“If you point a gun at a police officer or shoot at a police officer, we’re gonna take action and we’re likely going to shoot back,” said Citrus Heights Police Chief Ron Lawrence.
Axel
It turns out that Axel wasn’t hit by gunfire. The blood on his face was the suspect’s. The handlers clothing pierced by a bullet, but did not make contact with his body.
In addition, another bullet hit a nearby car in the parking lot. The bullet went by the female driver’s head, put a hole in her headrest and pulled out a bit of her hair along the way. It also went right by her child’s seat rest.
Schuessler’s previous arrests include-
- September 29, 2016 – assault, revocation of probation;
- August 11, 2016 – intoxicated in public;
- March 10, 2015 – grand theft;
- December 1, 2013 – DUI. See localcrimenews.com for more.
