On Monday August 24th, 2026, at approximately 4:45 PM, the Shasta County Multi-Agency Officer Involved Critical Incident Response Team (OICRT) received a request from the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office to respond to an officer involved shooting. The incident involved multiple Modoc County Sheriff’s Office personnel, near the intersection of Sportsman Drive and Parker Drive in the unincorporated area of Alturas, Modoc County, CA.
The scene was secured by Modoc County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, and other federal partners until the OICIRT team arrived on the morning of 08/25/26. Detectives learned that Michael Ernest Ehmen was arrested on 08/17/26 for being out of compliance with 290 PC sex offender registration requirements and for obstructing or delaying officers. When he was arrested, he was in possession of three dogs which were taken to the Alturas City Pound. Ehmen was released on 08/20/26 with a court ordered ankle monitor. On 08/21/26 it was discovered the Alturas City Pound had been burglarized and two of Ehmen’s three dogs were taken. Ehman’s ankle monitor was also cut off. The GPS data showed Ehmen had been near the Pound during the late evening hours of 08/20/26.
On 08/24/26 a Modoc County resident on California Pines Boulevard called 911 to report a burglary in progress. The reporting party confronted Ehmen after finding Ehmen had forced entry into his residence. When Ehmen was told to wait for police to arrive, he pointed the homeowner’s own pellet rifle at him before they became involved in a physical altercation. Ehmen attempted to stab the caller and slashed their hand with a knife before fleeing the area. This reporting party showed video to investigators that clearly identified Ehmen as the suspect.
Four Modoc County law enforcement personnel in law enforcement uniform responded and found Ehmen in the area of Parker Drive and Sportsman Drive. They attempted to stop Ehmen, but he fled down a hillside several hundred yards. They pursued Ehmen while giving him commands to stop. When the four law enforcement personnel arrived at a plateau they encountered Ehmen hiding behind some trees and bushes, less than 20 feet from their position. Ehmen charged at one of the law enforcement personnel in an attempt to attack them with a claw hammer raised in one hand and a prospector pick hammer in the other, which resulted in an officer involved shooting.
The involved law enforcement provided first aid to Ehmen on scene before he was flown to a local area hospital for care. As of 08/27/26 Ehman has remained in critical condition. None of the law enforcement officers involved were injured during the incident.
Criminal charges have been filed with the Modoc County District Attorney’s Office for 664/187 PC – Attempt homicide, 245(c) PC – Assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, and 69 PC – Resisting an executive officer.
Deputy Chief Investigator Ian Anderson (Shasta County District Attorney’s Office)
OICI Response Team
