Armed Subject Arrested

On December 26, 2022, at approximately 5:00 PM, the Chico Police Department began to receive multiple 911 calls about gun shots being heard in the area of 2060 Amanda Way. One of the reporting parties indicated someone had shot through the front door of her residence into her apartment. Multiple Chico Police Officers arrived on scene within minutes. As Officers arrived on scene another gunshot was heard by the Officers. The residents of the apartment complex were asked to shelter in place for their safety. Officers on scene began using a loudspeaker in an attempt to make contact with a subject inside one of the apartments. Multiple resources were requested at scene to include the Chico Police Department Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), Butte County Mobile Crisis, Unmanned Aerial Systems Team (UAS), Chico Police Detectives, and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). At approximately 9:38 PM, over four and a half hours after the incident began, the suspect, identified as Luke Kitchel, surrendered to members of the Chico Police Department SWAT Team. A resident suffered minor injuries as a result of the incident.

Kitchel was arrested for shooting into an inhabited dwelling, a violation of 246 of the California Penal Code, and transported to the Chico Police Department. Kitchel was later transported to Butte County Jail.

Location: 2060 Amanda Way

Victim: Withheld

Suspect: Luke Kitchel, 28 years old

Supervisor: Sgt. Peter Durfee S16

Lieutenant: Lt. Mike Rodden L6

The Chico Police Department is committed to ensuring our community is a safe place to live, work, and recreate within!