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Pursuit suspects fire more than a dozen shots at deputies in Vista

A manhunt was underway Wednesday morning in Vista after the occupants of a pickup truck opened fire on deputies investigating previous reports of shots fired, authorities said.

VISTA (NEWS 8/CNS) - Three men were arrested Wednesday morning for allegedly firing shots in a Vista neighborhood then opening fire on responding sheriff's deputies.

Nobody was injured in the shooting spree, according to the sheriff's department.

Ixcauatzin Morales, 21, Jesus Garcia Lopez, 29, and Elmer Escatel, 24, were arrested early Wednesday on suspicion of attempted murder on a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy.

Deputies were dispatched about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in response to reports of multiple shots fired in the 900 block of Rose Drive in Vista, sheriff's Lt. Mike Munsey said.

Witnesses said the gunshots came from a vehicle, possibly a red pickup truck, but the vehicle was driven away from the scene.

Over the next half-hour, several more 911 callers reported shots being fired from a red pickup truck "from the same general area" as the first gunshots, Munsey said. Shortly after midnight Wednesday, deputies spotted a red pickup matching the description of the suspect vehicle.

"As deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, they were fired upon by the occupants and the truck fled," Munsey said, adding that no deputies or bystanders were injured.

The men were allegedly firing shotguns and semi-automatic rifles, sheriff's officials said.

The truck was later found abandoned at an apartment complex on Meadow Lake Drive in Vista, and deputies narrowed their search to a unit in the complex. Deputies surrounded the apartment and attempted to coax the suspects out using a loudspeaker.

Five people were eventually removed from the apartment. Two were determined to have no involvement in the shooting and were released, officials said.

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