Knife-wielding man attacking woman fatally shot by deputy

A man who was armed with a knife and physically assaulting a woman was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy Sunday, March 19. The deadly shooting happened in the area of Dillon Road and Johnson Road southeast of Desert Hot Springs, in the unincorporated community of Desert Edge.

The incident began about 9:20 a.m., when deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Palm Desert Station responded to a report of an in-progress assault.

“A deputy responded to the scene and located a male suspect who was physically beating a woman,” Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Chris Durham said in a written press release after the incident. “Due to the situation, the deputy requested additional deputies, a helicopter and medical services.”

“The deputy approached the suspect and noticed he was armed with a knife,” Durham continued. “The deputy ordered the suspect to drop the knife.”

“The suspect refused and continued to assault the female,” Durham wrote. “The suspect then threatened to stab the woman and a deputy involved shooting occurred.”

Deputies immediately began providing medical aid to the suspect and called for medical services to assist.

Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and began treating the suspect. Medics transported the man to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by hospital staff.

The suspect’s name was not released pending notification of his family.

Medics also transported the female victim to a hospital and she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

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

No other deputies or citizens were injured during the incident, according to Durham.

Investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff Department’s Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation. They were assisted by members from the department’s Forensic Services Bureau.

The investigation into the shooting is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Dusek at (760) 393-3528 or Investigator Diaz at (760) 836-1600 from the Palm Desert Station. Callers can refer to incident file number O170780016 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

Deputy involved shooting occurred in the area of Dillon & Johnson Road, Press release 2 follow @ a later time. pic.twitter.com/xyellRetCC

— Media Info Bureau (@RSOmedia) March 19, 2017

 

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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.