Crime
Gunman Identified in Fatal Shootout That Killed Marysville Police Officer Osmar Rodarte
OLIVEHURST, CA – Authorities have identified the gunman who was killed in a shootout that also claimed the life of a Marysville police officer during the execution of a search warrant.
The Yuba County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the suspect was 60-year-old Rick David Oliver of Olivehurst.
The deadly exchange of gunfire occurred on Wednesday morning when a SWAT team was serving a search warrant on Kestrel Court as part of a larger investigation into drug trafficking and firearm-related crimes.
During the operation, Officer Osmar Rodarte, 25, was fatally shot. Law enforcement officers returned fire, killing Oliver at the scene, according to officials.
The Yuba County District Attorney’s Office stated that due to the complexity of the case, it may take months before further details regarding the shootout are released.
Rodarte’s death has deeply impacted the Marysville community, prompting an outpouring of support for the Marysville Police Department.
On Thursday, a law enforcement procession escorted Rodarte’s body to Placer County for an autopsy. Community members lined the streets to pay tribute to the fallen officer.
Court records reveal that Oliver had an extensive criminal history. In the past year, he had pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, resulting in the victim becoming pregnant.
Although the crime was not committed by force, Yuba County District Attorney Pat McGrath noted that Oliver was facing a recommended sentence of four years and four months in state prison.
Oliver had been scheduled for sentencing on August 15 but failed to appear in court. He had previously sought probation, but authorities issued an arrest warrant after his absence.
Law enforcement, with the assistance of the FBI and a bail bond agency, located and arrested Oliver in Douglas County, Nevada, on February 17.
Oliver was subsequently arraigned in Yuba County Superior Court, and further legal proceedings were scheduled for Friday, during which a sentencing date may have been set.
Due to his failure to appear in court, Oliver was facing an increased potential sentence of up to eight years.
Because of the severity of his conviction, Oliver was required to serve his sentence in a state prison rather than a county facility under California’s prison realignment laws.
His criminal record also included prior convictions for drug possession and driving under the influence.
The investigation into the events leading up to the fatal shootout remains ongoing.
Crime
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.