PLACERVILLE, Calif. — The criminal proceedings against Steven Carter, the man accused of opening fire on two El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies and a PG&E contract worker in Camino earlier this year, have been pushed back once again.
Carter’s pre-preliminary hearing, originally scheduled for June 26, has been continued until Aug. 7 at 8:30 a.m. The hearing will take place in Department 1 of the El Dorado County Superior Court in Placerville.
A pre-preliminary hearing allows attorneys to address procedural matters before a preliminary examination, where a judge determines whether sufficient evidence exists for a felony case to proceed to trial.
The case stems from a March 2025 incident in Camino that prompted a massive law enforcement response after authorities alleged Carter shot two deputies with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and a PG&E contract worker.
According to investigators, deputies responded after reports of an armed suspect in the Camino area. During the encounter, two deputies were wounded by gunfire. A PG&E contract worker was also struck during the incident. All three victims survived their injuries.
The shooting triggered an extensive manhunt involving multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies before Carter was ultimately taken into custody.
The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office has charged Carter with numerous felony offenses, including attempted murder and other enhancements related to the shootings. Prosecutors continue to pursue the case as it moves through the Superior Court.
Sheriff Jeff Leikauf previously praised the responding deputies and partner agencies following the incident, calling their actions courageous under extraordinarily dangerous circumstances.
“Our deputies and assisting law enforcement personnel displayed tremendous courage and professionalism during this critical incident,” the sheriff said following the shooting.
The Aug. 7 hearing is expected to address additional procedural matters before the court determines when a preliminary hearing will be held. Carter remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
Residents wishing to follow the case may attend the public hearing at the El Dorado County Superior Court courthouse in Placerville or monitor future court filings as they become available.
Sources: El Dorado County Superior Court calendar; El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office; El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office news releases.
