LAKE ELSINORE: Perris man pleads guilty after attacking, injuring firefighter during medical aid call
LAKE ELSINORE – A man accused of attacking and injuring a firefighter during a medical aid call Wednesday, March 1 pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts related to the violent incident.
One firefighter was injured while attempting to provide medical assistance to the man. The violent incident happened in the area of Summerhill Drive and Railroad Canyon Drive in Lake Elsinore.
Shawn Powell was arrested after he attacked and injured a firefighter.
The subject, a parolee who officials later identified as Shawn Dustin Powell, 35, of Perris, was treated at an area hospital for being under the influence of a controlled substance.
He was later booked into Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of one felony count of battery on a peace officer or firefighter, as well as misdemeanor charges of battery on a custodial official and being under the influence. Authorities also filed for revocation of Powell’s parole.
At his arraignment, Friday, March 3, Powell pleaded guilty to the two misdemeanor counts of battery on a peace officer or firefighter and being under the influence of a controlled substance. In exchange for pleading guilty to the two misdemeanor charges against him, DA officials dismissed the felony count against him.
Powell is scheduled to be sentenced Friday, March 17.
A Superior Court records search revealed Powell has numerous arrests throughout Riverside County for charges including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, making terrorist threats, domestic battery, driving under the influence, burglary, theft, and other charges dating back to 2011.
Powell was arrested after deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Lake Elsinore Police station responded to reports of Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighters requesting priority assistance dealing with a combative man about 1:54 p.m.
Powell had been “running in and out of traffic, causing a traffic problem,” Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Brett Seckinger explained after the incident.
In spite of his highly volatile and erratic behavior, firefighters and civilians managed to detain Powell after “the subject became violent and injured a firefighter,” Seckinger said. Together, the firefighters and civilians physically subdued Powell until deputies arrived.
Deputies arrived within minutes and detained Powell without further incident.
The injured firefighter was treated at the scene for minor injuries. He did not require further medical treatment, according to Seckinger.
No civilians were injured during the incident.
Powell remains held without bail at the Southwest Detention Center.
The investigation is continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy Petersen of the Lake Elsinore Police Department at (951) 245-3300. Callers can refer to incident file number L170600084 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
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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.