CGTN photo

A Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputy was killed and two California Highway Patrol officers were injured in a shooting at a motel in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, local TV station Fox40 reported.

Three suspects - two women and a man - have been detained.

The shooting took place at around noon local time. The three officers were investigating a stolen vehicle case and were led to a motel room by the two female suspects they found in the vehicle, which was in the motel's parking lot.

Police officers exchanged fire with a male suspect in the room, who was reportedly armed with a “high-powered rifle”, according to Fox40 citing a Sheriff’s

Office spokesperson.

The unidentified gunman fled the scene in another car and was later shot and arrested by police.

The motel has since been evacuated in order to clear out any potential suspects.

Further investigation is underway.