What began as a routine traffic stop, ended up turning into an intense close quarter gunfight, after an armed gunman barricaded himself in a bedroom and ambushed responding officers, as they cleared the building for remaining suspects.

On August 14th, 2021, officers from the Modesto Police Department, attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorcyclist who was driving recklessly. As soon as officers pursued the suspect, he immediately fled the scene. Luckily for ground officers, Stanislaus County Sheriff's helicopter was patrolling the area and began tracking the fleeing suspect.

The motorcyclist suspect, who was later identified as Joshua Harrington, ended up in the 3100 block of E. Orangeburg Ave., where officers later approached the residence and apprehended him for law enforcement evasion. While searching Harrington, he was in possession of large amounts of drugs, which appeared to be for distribution. Now having probable cause, officers received a search warrant to clear the remaining portion of the residence.

With additional responding officers now on the scene, officers began giving multiple verbal warnings to individuals remaining inside the residence, to exit the building. Three additional occupants soon exited the home and were detained. As the officers continued to make verbal commands, they soon entered the home to assure no occupants remained.

Clearing the entire front area of the home, officers began stacking up to clear one last remaining bedroom. With three officers stacked on the door, they began entering the room. Little did they know, one occupant was barricaded in and began ambushing the officers. As officers entered the room, the number one man, Ofc. Michael Rokaitis was struck multiple times in his ballistic vest, with one round penetrating through his ballistic vest, into his stomach. Additional officers began discharging their weapons through the walls and door leading into the bedroom, eventually neutralizing the suspect.

Officers finished clearing the remaining areas of the home, while securing the gunman and treating the wounded officer. In a desperate effort to expedite Officer Rokaitis's treatment, he was loaded into a patrol vehicle and taken to a local hospital. Officer Rokaitis survived his injuries.

The gunman was later identified as 42-year-old Jesse James Brooks. He was treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries before being booked into jail. Brooks was charged with three counts of attempted murder on a peace officer, multiple weapon violations, and for an outstanding U.S. Marshall Warrant for Probation Violation.

In addition, the following information provided includes information on five additional suspects who were apprehended during this investigation:

34-year-old Joshua Harrington of Modesto, arrested for evading, possession of a controlled substance for sale, and charged with being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm.

40-year-old Ryan Bailey of Modesto, arrested and charged with being an ex-felon with a firearm.

27-year-old Katie Bible of Modesto, charged with accessory and violation of felony probation. Also had numerous warrants out of El Dorado.

44-year-old Rolland Christian of Atwater, charged with obstruction and had warrants out of San Joaquin County for burglary and vandalism.

29-year-old Harley Pryschuk of Modesto, charged with attempted murder, accessory and possession of drug paraphernalia.