Police: In 911 call, suspect in Calif. shooting warns police to prepare for ‘mortal combat’

Police release 911 tape after church slaying

VISALIA, Calif. — Police have released a tape of a 911 call in which a man suspected of fatally shooting a Mormon church official in Central California told officers where to find him and to be ready for “mortal combat.”

In the 20-second recording made public Tuesday, the caller identified himself as “Zane Thomas,” but police say it was 47-year-old Kenneth Ward.

Ward was shot dead Sunday by officers investigating the slaying of Clay Sunnar, a lay bishop with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Visalia.

The caller on the tape sounded almost cheerful when he said he was the person who had “just shot the Mormon bishop.”

He then gave an address that turned out to be Ward’s childhood home. When officers arrived, they exchanged gunfire with Ward.

Information from: The Fresno Bee, www.fresnobee.com