Friday, 17 July 2026, 6:59
Sacramento County sheriff's deputies shot at a driver Sunday morning on Interstate 80 near Antelope, after the suspect fled a domestic violence call and led law enforcement on a chase. The incident shut down eastbound lanes of the busy freeway, causing significant traffic disruptions.
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office reported that deputies initiated a pursuit after a suspect involved in a domestic violence incident left the scene in a vehicle. The chase ended on eastbound I-80 near the weigh station between Greenback Lane and Antelope Road in Citrus Heights, where deputies fired at the driver. The sheriff's office confirmed it was an officer-involved shooting, but details on the suspect's condition remain unavailable as the investigation continues.
The suspect has been identified as 38-year-old William Mattias Kreuzer of Rancho Cordova, who was killed in the shooting. According to the sheriff's office, Kreuzer had a firearm and pointed it at deputies, resulting in the shooting. Deputies recovered a gun after the shooting.
Eastbound I-80 was shut down for nine hours while deputies investigated.
The sheriff's office first became aware of the situation at 10 a.m. after its communication center got a call about a woman bloodied, screaming and running through the streets near Zinfandel Drive. Sgt. Edward Igoe, a spokesperson with the sheriff's office, said on Sunday that the woman was running door to door seeking help until someone eventually let her inside. The woman told deputies that she had been beaten for the past three days by her ex and played dead after another attack the morning of the shooting, Igoe said. Once her ex left, she fled. Deputies went to her home, but both her and Kreuzer's cars were gone, Igoe said. They later spotted Kreuzer and tried to pull him over, but he kept going and prompted a pursuit. Igoe said deputies chased him, knowing he was armed, after the woman said he at least had a pistol on him. Kreuzer went eastbound until he stopped and made a U-turn while still on the highway, leading up to the confrontation, the California Highway Patrol said. The woman suffered significant injuries and was taken to a hospital to be treated, officials said.
Igoe described the assault as severe, stating, "Assault is an understatement. Had violently beaten her the past three days. That includes being pistol-whipped and choked until she went unconscious." The victim told deputies that the suspect had a pistol and was always armed.
Video obtained by KCRA 3 showed a man driving by the moment gunfire broke out. Several shots could be heard as the driver passed by the scene.
Eastbound I-80 was closed at Greenback Lane, with no estimated reopening time initially. Westbound lanes were also temporarily closed but later reopened, according to KCRA. The closure caused delays for drivers in the area, particularly around Citrus Heights and Antelope. All eastbound lanes near the scene were closed for multiple hours. According to Steve Nelson, a spokesperson for Caltrans District 3, all eastbound lanes of I-80 were temporarily closed for about a mile near the scene shortly after noon Sunday, with traffic backed up an additional 3 to 4 miles.
The incident occurred in Sacramento County, specifically near the communities of Antelope and Citrus Heights. This area is a key corridor for commuters traveling between Sacramento and the Sierra foothills. The weigh station on I-80 is a common point for law enforcement activities, including traffic stops and inspections.
Officer-involved shootings during pursuits are relatively rare in Sacramento County, but they have occurred in recent years. In 2024, a similar incident on Highway 99 led to a deputy-involved shooting after a stolen vehicle chase. The sheriff's office typically reviews such incidents internally and through the district attorney's office to determine if force was justified.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with the California Highway Patrol handling the shooting investigation. No deputies were injured. The deputies involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. Drivers should expect lingering delays on eastbound I-80 as authorities process the scene. Updates are expected as more information becomes available.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text 'START' to 88788.
