On March 30, 2018 The Merced County Sheriff’s Office along with the Merced County Probation Department were performing a probation compliance check at the residence located at 3566 Atwater Blvd. in the city of Atwater. Sergeant Kevin Blake, Deputy Brian Carbaugh, and Probation Supervisor Alex Cruz entered the residence to conduct a compliance search. It was at that time Sergeant Blake, Deputy Carbaugh and Probation Supervisor Cruz encountered 42-year-old Timothy Breckenridge of Atwater. Breckenridge had a felony warrant for his arrest.

When Deputies and the probation officer contacted Breckenridge in the house, he was holding what appeared to be a semi- automatic handgun. He was told several times to put the gun down. However, Breckenridge failed to comply and became a threat to Blake, Carbaugh, And Cruz, and they were forced to defend themselves and opened fire. Breckenridge succumbed to his injuries and died on scene.

During the investigation it was determined that the believed firearm was in fact a replica air soft type pistol that had been spray painted black with the orange tip removed to make it look like a real gun.

The Merced County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Bureau is investigating the incident and Sergeant Blake, Deputy Carbaugh, And Probation Officer Cruz have been place on administrative leave pending the investigation.