Defendant Sentenced for Shooting Officer After Shooting at Inhabited Vehicles

DATE: September 8, 2026

CASE: Joshua Hippard (Case #21FE005634)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Emilee Divinagracia, Major Crimes Unit

On September 4, 2026, the Honorable Steve White sentenced Joshua Hippard to 30 years to life in prison. On March 20, 2026, Hippard was convicted by a jury of attempted murder, assault on a peace officer with a semi-automatic firearm, assault with a semi-automatic firearm and discharging a firearm at an inhabited vehicle.

On March 24, 2021, a Sacramento police officer responded to a call of shots fired. The officer arrived in the area and observed Joshua Hippard walking on the sidewalk putting something in his pocket. The officer contacted Hippard and saw the object he put in his pocket was a firearm. When the officer instructed Hippard not to move, Hippard approached the passenger side of the patrol car and fired twice into the patrol car. One of the shots struck the officer in his stomach. Hippard then ran toward the back of the patrol vehicle and continued to point his firearm at the officer as he fled. The injured officer made his way out of his vehicle and returned fire. Hippard was struck and fell to the ground. While on the ground, Hippard reloaded his firearm. After initially refusing commands to drop the firearm, he eventually dropped the gun. Hippard was detained and treated for his injuries. Investigation revealed that prior to the shooting, Hippard got into an argument with his wife while at their home. His wife ultimately put her six children in the car to drive away from the home, and she asked her brother-in-law to drive her other car and follow them. As they both drove away, Hippard fired his gun at them approximately five times. Two of the bullets landed in the backseat of the vehicle the brother-in-law was driving but did not injure him. The officer's bullet proof vest and the flashlight worn on his vest protected him from serious injuries.