Triple-homicide suspect in Douglas jail

A man arrested by Douglas County deputies after a high-speed pursuit and shoot-out on Kingsbury Grade on Friday night is believed to be responsible for three Bay Area shooting deaths.

Stefon Jefferson, 43, of Oakland was taken into custody after he crashed his Toyota while trying to escape deputies.

He admitted he shot at deputies during the incident during an East Fork Justice Court hearing on Monday.

Jefferson is facing multiple felonies in Douglas County, including attempted murder for shooting Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Miller in the hand. Miller is recovering at home and is in good spirits, according to the sheriff’s office.

“He shot at us and we shot at him and that’s as about as simple as it gets,” Sheriff Dan Coverley said on Saturday.

On Monday, East Fork Justice of the Peace Cassandra Jones set Jefferson’s bail at $1 million cash, saying if she could set it higher, she would.

Authorities believe Jefferson’s shooting spree began on Friday with the shooting of his cousin Marcus Jackson. He then reportedly drove Jackson’s car to San Francisco, where he shot Laron David, who was another relative.

On Friday afternoon, Berkeley resident Calvin Kelley, 43, was shot to death in People’s Park in Berkeley, according to the University of California Police Department.

While university police were still investigating that shooting, the black Toyota Jefferson was driving was spotted in South Lake Tahoe on Highway 50. South Lake Tahoe Police pursued him into Stateline where Douglas County deputies took the lead.

The chase led over winding Kingsbury Grade reaching speeds of up to 75 mph at times. Deputies managed to stop Jefferson using a maneuver and he came out of the Toyota shooting hitting Miller.

Deputies returned fire, striking Jefferson, who got back into the Toyota and then lost control while trying to turn onto a side street.

He was taken into custody by Douglas deputies without further incident.

Deputy Tyree Holdridge was identified on Monday as the other deputy involved in the shoot-out.

On Monday, Jefferson said he wanted his preliminary trial as soon as possible. He is scheduled to appear in East Fork Justice Court today with defense attorney Kris Brown.