On 2/26/13 at about 3:30 pm, two Santa Cruz Police Detectives, Sgt. Loran “Butch” Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler, were conducting follow-up investigation related to a sexual assault of a woman. The suspect was identified as Jeremy Goulet, residing at 822 Branciforte Dr. Outside of Goulet’s residence; an altercation ensued between the detectives and Goulet. Both Sgt. Baker and Detective Butler were shot and killed by Goulet.
Goulet then stole Sgt. Baker’s detective car and fled the scene. Minutes later, Goulet returned to the area of the initial shooting where emergency personnel were attending to Sgt. Baker and Detective Butler. Goulet parked the stolen detective car on Doyle St. and began advancing toward the initial scene armed with a firearm. At this time, law enforcement personnel from multiple agencies were responding to and searching the scene following a countywide Active Shooter Protocol.
Law Enforcement personnel at the initial shooting scene saw Goulet on the opposite side of the fence that separates 822 Branciforte Dr. and 140 Doyle St. Goulet was given orders to submit, but instead, he fled on foot toward Doyle St. Goulet was encountered by a multi-agency team of law enforcement personnel who were searching for him. Goulet confronted this team and began firing his weapon at them. The team of officers returned fire and stopped Goulet from continuing to harm officers or the public. Goulet has since been positively identified by the Coroner’s Office.
Subsequent investigation into Goulet’s background after the shooting revealed he made recent statements that he was going to harm people. Detectives Sgt. Baker and Detective Butler were unaware of this information. Based on this information and Goulet’s actions, it is likely that stopping him saved additional lives.
Further investigation into Goulet’s criminal record revealed Goulet has been arrested in Oregon for Attempted Murder and was convicted of Invasion of Personal Privacy and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and served two years in prison. Goulet has also been arrested in other cities in California for Peeping, Prowling and Drunk in Public.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting the primary investigation as well as providing patrol coverage for the City of Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz PD, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office are working together, following county protocol in both the criminal as well as the administrative investigations.
Chief Kevin Vogel has requested the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol to provide patrol services to the City of Santa Cruz until Thursday, February 28, 2013 when Santa Cruz Police officers will return to duty.
The Sheriff’s Office is seeking witnesses who may have any information or video related to this crime. People with information are strongly encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at 831- 454-2311 or contact them by email at [email protected] The Sheriff’s Office has sent a automated phone message to the surrounding area seeking further information on this crime.
Loren Butch Baker
Elizabeth Butler