Butte County Man Arrested for Alleged Attempted Murder of Police Officer
CHICO, CA — “On February 14, 2026, at approximately 9:53 p.m., Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Wood Drive and Elwood Drive, Magalia, Butte County, California. The vehicle had previously been identified in a law enforcement BOLO due to its involvement in a pursuit with the Chico Police Department on February 13, 2026.
The vehicle failed to yield, and deputies engaged in a pursuit through the Magalia area. The suspect vehicle continued southwest on Centerville Road toward Chico. During the pursuit, the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, fired shots out of the back window at the pursuing deputy.
The vehicle subsequently crashed into a ditch on Centerville Road. The driver exited the vehicle and fired additional shots before fleeing on foot. The deputy returned fire. Law enforcement developed evidence that the driver of the vehicle was Kristian Michael Stevens, age 32, of Chico. It was discovered Stevens was wanted on multiple unrelated felony arrest warrants.
In conjunction with the Chico Police Department, detectives obtained information and located evidence Stevens was at an apartment in the 1100 block of West Sacramento Avenue, Chico. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the apartment. The BCSO and Chico Police Department SWAT Teams served the search warrant and located Stevens. Stevens was placed under arrest for attempted murder of a peace officer, along with the outstanding warrants and booked into the Butte County Jail.
Neither the deputy nor Stevens were injured by the gunfire. The Butte County Officer Involved Shooting Incident Protocol Team has been activated and is currently conducting an investigation.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Butte County District Attorney’s Office at 530-538-7411.”
