Inyo County Sheriff’s Office press release
At approximately 3:23AM on August 26, 2016 during routine patrol in the Bishop area, an Inyo County Sheriff’s Deputy was flagged down on Winuba Lane by a female who reported that she was the victim of domestic violence.
The victim said that the suspect was Raymond Bencoma III; Bencoma (a 41-year old Bishop man) is a parolee and is known to law enforcement through his past violent crimes. The Inyo County Sheriff’s Deputy requested back-up assistance; Bishop Police and CHP responded.
As the Deputy approached the home where Bencoma was reported to be staying, the suspect appeared from behind an out-building and pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the Sheriff’s Deputy.
The Deputy fired and struck the suspect. The suspect was transported to Northern Inyo Hospital for emergency treatment and was subsequently flown out. A loaded handgun was recovered at the scene.
The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office has been in contact with the Bishop Paiute Tribal Police, and both agencies are working together. The Inyo County Sheriff’ Office and Inyo County District Attorney’s Office are currently investigating the officer involved shooting.
“This incident is not representative of our County or our Community,” said Inyo County Undersheriff Jeff Hollowell. This sentiment was echoed by the Bishop Tribal Chairman, Deston Rogers: “This incident is unfortunate, but the safety of our Community is paramount.”
Additional information will be released as the investigation continues.
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is this the guy they used to call snuffleuupagus?
I’ll give you that Stoopid. It does bother me that most of what the original press release states is now being denied by the sheriff dept. But I still have little sympathy for this guy.
Cause everything you read in the media is true, right?!?!
has anyone read the sheet news on this story? turns out they were not on routune patrol, thet were not flagged down, there was no DV, and their camwras were off. how conveinant for LE. now what smart ones.
For those of us who haven’t been in trouble with the law, the story makes perfect sense actually. Lays out how the shooting was justified by the deputy. Tribal members have complained repeatedly the sheriff ain’t responding fast enough to calls on the res. So now that a call gets… Read more »
Any rational, normal thought proccessing person would realize that a person who is under the infuence, who was in a car that had just gone off a cliff and into a river in the middle of the night, and who suffered moderate injuries, probably is not capable of making sound… Read more »
Raymond Bancoma is a monster and got what he deserved!!!
Hey stoopid….If your making these stoopid comments to see how many “thumbs down ” your gonna get,shame on you….if your not,and actually thinking the way your posting,are you trying to blame the 13 year old VICTIM because she happened to be out at night and therefore responsible for her own… Read more »
Stoopid…he hit a woman…stoopid…he pointed a gun at a cop…….stoopid……. he got what he deserved. & …like you….too, stoopid.
Stoopid..is..when you point a gun at a cop and expect a hug.
I appologize to the Bone family and mean no disrespect. If my numbers are wrong, i am sorry it was a long time ago. I understand that their are hard feelings for him, i wouldnt wish the loss of a child on anyone. I maintain my beleif that ray was… Read more »
Another Stoopid comment. You completely blamed the victim. It doesn’t matter what time of day it happened. It doesn’t matter why she needed a ride. He is responsible for her death and he is a monster.
Accidents happen. People make mistakes. All people. A car accident is not malicious or intentional. I am not defending his actions. Several factors contributed to the tragic accident, not Bencomas actions alone. No parent should ever have to bury their child. Unfortunatly, it happens. She got into the car at… Read more »
Evading police is not an accident, it IS intentional.
“It happens”? Really, that’s what you’re going with, “it happens”?
“It is all in the past.” Not for Kara Bone.
No, Stoopid, The shooting was a result of his own actions. Hardly anyone but those who loved Kristina even remembered his actions that horrible night which resulted in that child’s death. Most people on this conversation did not remember it or had ever heard of it. I doubt if the… Read more »
The reason for the shooting is pointing a loaded gun at a law enforcement officer. That sounds stoopid to me.
Not of its the same judge that KEEPS LETTING THESE GUYS OUT !
Or DA
He was also arrested years ago for breaking into an ex-girlfriend, mother of his child’s house and cutting her with a knife! Absolutely unbelievable that this violent criminal was even on the streets to beat on yet another woman! Looking like he’s going to survive this and hope he’s locked… Read more »
…UNBELIEVABLE what I’m seeing,hearing and reading about this guys past criminal history…and even more unbelievable is how our court system has handled his years and years of law breaking…and on top of that,unbelievable some of the excuses and blaming others are making for his actions and behavior…..you bet what he… Read more »
Where is the link to the Kristina Bone incident? Did Bencoma serve any time for this cowardly act, causing an innocent girl to lose her life…
Can we start a gofundme account to give the deputies more ammo and time at the gun range??
You know I’m sorry but making excuses for Ray his whole life is exactly why he is the coward that he is today and was 20 years ago so if I was his family I would stop and make him finally own up to his actions quit blaming the police… Read more »
Shame on all of you for bringing this up. The accident that occurred 20yrs ago, was just that. An accident. He did not intentionally kill anyone. I always wondered why law enforcement TRAINED to respond to all kinds of situations, would engage in a high speed chase, givin the circumbstances.… Read more »
…what Kara said.
Get your facts straight he got sentenced to four years served 2
He didn’t over correct raymond turned his head lights off to try and out run police when he went off the cliff and ended up in river he not only tryed to run but put his hand over my sister’s friends mouth so she couldn’t yell out for help when… Read more »
I apologize for the misunderstandings of the incident! But yes, he could have helped her out of that car! Did he go to prison for that Kara?
Yes 2 years for our early
I just love stories with a happy ending.
RIP KRISTINA ALWAYS THINKING OF YOU GIRL…..
Tracy….Is there a link to the incident involving Kristina Bone ?…curious what happened.
Ray was driving a car that Kristina was a passenger In when he over corrected and crashed into the canal (I think). He took off and left her to drown. She was a sweet soul of a child and deserved more then to be left like trash like he has… Read more »
That’s the most cowardly thing I have ever heard of. Especially for a man. Hate is a awful thing , but I could never forgive a person for that.
I’m not a big fan of the way our justice system works, but this guys doesn’t deserve any sympathy.
…trouble….after reading the circumstances on the Kristina Bone death,I’m 100 % in agreement with you on this one….again,I have to ask….how did the court system handle it 20 years ago ?….how many other crimes has he committed since then ?…..after the assault and ANOTHER domestic abuse charge back in February… Read more »
Actually, he was being chased by the sheriff on Chalk Bluff Road and went off the cliff there into the Owens River.
..Doesn’t California have a “three-strike” law ?…..it sometimes seems,as with this one,it must be more like a “twenty-strike” law….
cry babys on the left said it was too harsh.
@Wally M,
You might want to look a little deeper. There were a number of prominent conservatives and top law enforcement folks who publicly supported the the modifications to the 3 strikes law with prop 36.
link?
I am glad this man has FINALlY gotten a portion of justice. He’s responsible for the death of my young granddaughter Kristina Bone. I wish he could get TOTAL justice. A man with no remorse who never changed.
May I ask what happened to Kristina?
This is the man who took our Kristina from us we hoped he would change his life and do better for man kind but as we read not to long ago he did the same thing and now hopefully the justice system gets it right he needs to be locked… Read more »
This bad guy needs help and maybe getting shot by LE is just the start, I too have seen him on the Sheriffs Dept RIMS website on numerous occasions as well. I’m glad nobody else was injured and I hope the deputy doesn’t lose too much sleep because we need… Read more »
I believe there is another person with the same last name that people are confusing their past history here with. I googled it.
Trouble….yep….and he amazingly looks exactly the same as this guy..and on another site,ALREADY talk of a lawsuit being brought on by the family coming against the ICSO…….how surprising…
Low, I didn’t mean to judge , criticize or offend anyone one this topic.
https://thereal395.com/four-arrested-after-standoff/
I miss Benett’s commentary, always the voice of reason.
so glad that all LE are ok physically…the shooting deputy will most likely have nightmare for a long time. When someone chooses to point a gun at a police officer they have just sealed their own fate, if this guy lives he’ll be lucky and hopefully be jailed for a… Read more »
Such a cold heart we the family of Ray pray for you and remember we don’t need your pitty we have the truth just because the media says he pointed a gun does not make it true after internal affairs and bureau of Indian affairs finishes investigation and clears this… Read more »
It’s not the media, these are press releases given to the media, by the Sheriff dept. Call the media and tell them what you know. I’m sure they would love to print your story.
Margo Ortiz— how do you KNOW he was falsely accused of domestic violence? The fact is, he has a past history of that same crime. He has a past history of a lot of crimes. He must have been doing something he knew was wrong otherwise, why hide from the… Read more »
And just because you say…it is not true…does not make it fictional…did you see the ENTIRE incident? No…then sit down… and we’ll shut it.
No I’m sure he’s innocent in every crime he’s ever committed. He’s an outstanding member of society. Haha I wonder who handles his investments? PLEASE! I just threw up in my mouth because your comment made me sick! This douche has been terrorizing people for too long. I pray that… Read more »
Margo Ortiz, you seem ignorant about the law where the tribe is concerned. California is a PL 280 state, where the county sheriff and CHP have criminal jurisdiction on the reservation. The BIA has no authority in law enforcement here. The latest story from The Sheet in Mammoth demonstrated that… Read more »
Law enforcement is a hard enough profession, without the threat of losing one’s life. And yet, each day, here and across out country, the outstanding law enforcement officer’s go to work, protecting and serving, you and I. Thank you, Inyo County Sheriff’s Department, Bishop Police Department, California Highway Patrol. I… Read more »
Not to take anything away from the deputy, he did a great job. I doubt he will have any nightmares, it was him or the bad guy, and the good guy won. But law enforcement isn’t even in the top 10 most dangerous jobs. Loggers, crab fisherman , pilots ,roofers,… Read more »
Who would leave a “dislike” to what you posted? Amazing….
This guy Bencoma has been nothing but trouble for years. With his criminal past, he should have never been out on the streets. We need much tougher sentencing for these worthless repeat convicts.
This guy was trouble! I hope the lawman can now keep his life together.
why wouldn’t he?? he was doing his job..this wouldn’t be a life changing event..
This guy is on the Inyo County Sheriff citizen RIMS page (due to his incidents and arrests ) I feel like I know the guy….maybe this time he’ll get more than a slap on the wrist from our court system….BEFORE he kills some innocent person…..some people just don’t belong walking… Read more »
He already had killed an innocent victim a 13 year old girl named Kristina Bone my sister she would have been 34 this December finally I can live the rest of my life not hating him glad the bishop pd finally got rid of this scum bag
Two Inyo County Juries have let him walk already. I hope they recognize him.
Best News I have heard and read all week!!! Glad no LE’s were injured.
Best news? Really? I’m also very glad to hear that none of our local law enforcement officers were injured in this confrontation. But’s it’s never good news hearing that a situation escalated to the use of deadly force. Unfortunate for everyone involved.