UPDATED: CABAZON: Additional information released after fatal officer-involved shooting

UPDATE: March 7, 10 p.m.

CABAZON – Riverside County Sheriff’s officials have released more information about the fatal shooting of a man who fled from deputies Saturday, March 4. The foot pursuit and deadly shooting happened while deputies were investigating a 911 call regarding a suspicious person.

The suspect, who’s name has still not been released by officials, was shot and killed about 9:30 p.m.

In an updated press release from the sheriff’s department, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Chris Durham said, “Investigators from the Central Homicide Unit continued an extensive investigation including conducting several interviews.”

“During a foot pursuit through a dark field, the suspect pointed a metal object simulating a weapon at the deputy,” Durham explained. “The deputy ordered the suspect to drop the object which the deputy believed was a firearm. The suspect refused and a deputy involved shooting took place.”

This investigation is still active and ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Unit Master Investigator Dickey at (951) 955-2777 or Investigator Hensley at (951) 922-7100 from the Cabazon Station. Callers can refer to incident file number B170630034 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

ORIGINAL STORY

CABAZON – A Riverside County sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a man after he fled from authorities investigating a 911 call about a suspicious person Saturday, March 4. The incident began in the 48600 block of Seminole Road and ended on nearby Johnson Lane in the unincorporated community of Cabazon.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Cabazon station responded to a report of a person seen loitering near a business about 9:30 p.m., according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Chris Durham.

Deputies who responded to the scene located the alleged suspect and attempted to detain him for further investigation.

The man, who has not yet been identified by sheriff’s or coroner’s officials, fled the area on foot, running east on Seminole Drive. He then ran across the Interstate 10 Freeway onto Malki Road. Pursuing deputies temporarily lost sight of the man and established a perimeter around the area.

With assistance from the department’s helicopter “Star-9,” authorities located the man near Johnson Lane, according to Durham.

“The suspect continued to evade deputies and failed to obey deputies’ commands,” Durham explained after the deadly shooting. “Officers attempted to take him into custody and an officer involved shooting occurred.”

Sheriff’s officials have not yet specified if the suspect was armed or what exactly preceded and caused the shooting to occur.

After the shooting, deputies provided medical aid to the mortally wounded suspect. Deputies also called for paramedics and other emergency medical personnel to respond to the location to assist the man.

Medics transported the suspect to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by hospital staff. The man’s name has not been released, pending notification of his family.

Investigators from the department’s Central Homicide Unit and Cabazon station responded and assumed the investigation.

Investigators, forensic technicians from the department’s Forensic Services Bureau, and other officials could be seen searching for, photographing and documenting, and collecting evidence in the area where the incident began and ended. Officials remained at the scene for several hours after the deadly encounter.

The deputy involved in the shooting, whose name was not released, was placed on administrative leave per department policy.

No deputies or other citizens were injured during the shooting.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation or who witnessed the shooting is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Dickey at (951) 955-2777 or Investigator Hensley at (951) 922-7100 from the Cabazon Station. Callers can refer to incident file number B170630034 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

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.