Two police officers reported killed by sniper fire in Santa Cruz

RT @marccotarobles: #BREAKING Sniper on roof of Santa Cruz business following reporting officer-involved shooting @KIONrightnow 3…

— NewsChannel 5 (@KIONrightnow) February 27, 2013

A major situation unfolded in Santa Cruz, Calif., earlier tonight as a shooter appears to have shot several police officers and fired a large number of rounds. It has been confirmed that two police officers, as well as the suspect, were killed.

#BREAKING: #SantaCruz Sheriff’s dept. confirms 2 Santa Cruz police officers and the suspect have died.

— KTVU (@KTVU) February 27, 2013

Details still seem sketchy, but here’s how it unfolded, starting around 4:08 p.m. Pacific. These reports are mostly in chronological order, all tweeted or retweeted by the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

Shots fired just now near scene of earlier shooting. Came just after report of man running behind school. Heard possible DOA suspect.

— Jason Hoppin (@scnewsdude) February 27, 2013

@scsentinel We are at Red Wing Shoes, just hear a few more shots fired near whole foods parking lot on soquel. Scary!

— ronald gunna (@rnldgna) February 27, 2013

Witnesses reporting many, many shots fired at North Branciforte scene.

— Jason Hoppin (@scnewsdude) February 27, 2013

@kionrightnow @scsentinel 20 or more shots! Police on high alert!! They asked everyone to get inside.

— Aimee and Angel (@Aimee_and_Angel) February 27, 2013

Huge scene here on Branciforte: deputies, gang task officers, CHP, SCPD and DA Bob Lee all here. Info spotty right now. At least 2 shot.

— Jessica M. Pasko (@jmpasko96) February 27, 2013

Chaotic scene here on Branciforte & Water. twitter.com/jmpasko96/stat…

— Jessica M. Pasko (@jmpasko96) February 27, 2013

CHP helicopter responding to shooting scene, armored vehicles also responding from other agencies

— Mark Woodward (@NativeSantaCruz) February 27, 2013

Chaotic scene here on Branciforte & Water. twitter.com/jmpasko96/stat…

— Jessica M. Pasko (@jmpasko96) February 27, 2013

Listening to scanner, what must be dozens of officers from all around the county are maintaining perimeter.

— Mark Woodward (@NativeSantaCruz) February 27, 2013

Officers with guns drawn at the scene of the shooting. Photo submitted by resident Charles May. #scsnews twitpic.com/c746ml

— Santa Cruz Sentinel (@scsentinel) February 27, 2013

RT @marccotarobles: #BREAKING Sniper on roof of Santa Cruz business following reporting officer-involved shooting @kionrightnow 3…

— Central Coast News (@KIONrightnow) February 27, 2013

More reinforcements have been brought in to situation at Branciforte and Water. #scsnews twitter.com/jmpasko96/stat…

— Jessica M. Pasko (@jmpasko96) February 27, 2013

Branciforte area shootings possibly arose from domestic violence incident.

— Kalin Kipling (@KalinKipling) February 27, 2013

@scsentinel Just had two shouting sherrifs on chilverton about 3 blocks from Doyle, next door to DA #DoyleShooting

— Jacob Barrick (@JBarrick) February 27, 2013

@scsentinel Santa Cruz shooting. twitter.com/Aimee_and_Ange…

— Aimee and Angel (@Aimee_and_Angel) February 27, 2013

It appears they are clearing air space over the shooting scene. Not sure why.

— Jason Hoppin (@scnewsdude) February 27, 2013

Photo from the scene of shooting in Santa Cruz, from Dan Coyro #scsnews twitpic.com/c744x2

— Santa Cruz Sentinel (@scsentinel) February 27, 2013

Scene of a shooting in Santa Cruz near Branciforte. Photo from Dan Coyro #scsnews twitpic.com/c7451g

— Santa Cruz Sentinel (@scsentinel) February 27, 2013

Lots of flashing lights, police copters circling overhead, cops running by my car w/ assault rifle #SantaCruz #WTF! twitter.com/Michael_Irie/s…

— Michael Kelly (@Michael_Irie) February 27, 2013

Scene of a shooting in Santa Cruz Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dan Coyro #scsnews twitpic.com/c745ga

— Santa Cruz Sentinel (@scsentinel) February 27, 2013