ROMOLAND: Man taken for mental health evaluation after officer involved shooting

ROMOLAND – A Romoland resident was taken into protective custody and hospitalized after a shooting incident involving sheriff’s deputies Monday, Nov. 21. The shooting happened during a reported domestic disturbance in the 24300 block of Briggs Road in the unincorporated community of Romoland.

The man was later identified as 20-year-old, Austin Garcia.

“Garcia was taken for a mental health evaluation and will remain in the care of mental health staff,” Riverside County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Deputy Mike Vasquez explained after the incident.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Perris Station responded to the residence about 9:45 p.m., after receiving a 911 call from a family member reporting Garcia was threatening his family members with a knife. The caller told emergency dispatchers Garcia was also possibly armed with a firearm.

When the deputies arrived at the home they contacted Garcia outside the residence. A sheriff’s helicopter circled overhead during the incident. Deputies saw Garcia was armed with a rifle and immediately began to give him orders to drop his weapon.

During the dangerous incident, neighbors took to social media and reported hearing members of the sheriff’s Aviation Unit and deputies using PA loudspeakers to order Garcia to put his rifle down and come out to them with his hands raised in the air.

Garcia refused repeated orders to drop the rifle and was seen pointing his weapon at a Riverside County Sheriff’s helicopter. Garcia then aimed his rifle at deputies. “At that moment during the confrontation, an officer involved shooting occurred,” Vasquez said.

Immediately after the shooting, nearby citizens reported hearing multiple gunshots. One neighbor reported seeing Garcia fire his rifle at the helicopter while it circled overhead, however that fact was not confirmed by sheriff’s officials.

Deputies immediately put out an emergency call for assistance reporting shots had been fired and requested firefighters and paramedics to stand by.

After the shooting, Garcia continued to refuse to obey deputies orders, leading to a brief stand-off. Nearby residents reported seeing Garcia hiding behind boulders on the large, rural property.

Garcia eventually put his rifle down and complied with the deputies commands, walking out to them with his hands raised.

“(Garcia) subsequently surrendered and was taken into custody without incident,” Vasquez said. “Neither the suspect, members of the public, or deputies were injured during the confrontation.”

The deputy involved in the shooting has not been identified and their name will not be released at this time. The deputy was placed on administrative leave per department policy.

Investigators from the department’s Central Homicide Unit responded to the residence and assumed the investigation. They were assisted by forensic technicians and other sheriff’s officials.

“This is an active investigation and no additional details are available at this time,” Vasquez stated.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact Central Homicide Investigator Gomez at (760) 766-5914 or Perris Sheriff’s Station Investigator Waters at (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file number PC163260047 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Personnel and Background Investigations and he finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator.

Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.