WINCHESTER: Deputy fires at man after subject tried to disarm and then drive into him

WINCHESTER — A deputy shot at a man who allegedly accelerated in his direction in a pickup truck after trying to disarm and arrest the official, Sunday, July 30. The shooting happened near the intersection of Fields Drive and Washington Street in the unincorporated community of Winchester.

A Sheriff’s mobile command center was established near where the incident happened. John Strangis photo

After the shooting incident, the man the deputy fired upon led authorities on a pursuit that ended in the city of Hemet. He was arrested after officials deployed a set of spike strips, flattening all four of the alleged suspect’s tires.

The man, who was later identified as John Krasowski, 29, a state of Washington resident, was taken into custody after officials used a less-lethal Taser deployment to temporarily disable him, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Chris Willison explained in a written press release after the deadly shooting incident.

An earlier Taser deployment had reportedly been unsuccessful.

The incident began about 9:25 a.m., when a deputy from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Southwest Station was flagged down by a citizen, later identified as Krasowski.

As the deputy was speaking to Krasowski, he observed the man exhibiting “bizarre behavior.” Krasowski allegedly demanded the deputy disarm himself and he “attempted to place the deputy under arrest,” said Willison.

Believing the subject presented a danger to himself and/or others, the deputy attempted to detain the subject for a mental health evaluation.

Krasowski “physically resisted the deputies’ attempts to detain him and a Taser was deployed,” according to Willison, who said “the Taser had no effect on the subject.”

Officials successfully used spike strips to flatten all four of the fleeing suspect’s tires. John Strangis photo

While refusing the deputy’s commands, Krasowski jumped into a nearby parked truck “in an attempt to flee the scene,” said Willison. An unidentified woman was in the passenger seat of the truck when Krasowski fled from the deputy.

It was not immediately known how or if the two were related.

Sheriff’s officials allege Krasowski accelerated the truck. “While attempting to prevent (Krakowski’s) escape…a deputy involved shooting occurred,” said Willison.

After the deputy fired at him, Krasowski fled the area in the truck, at which time a vehicle pursuit ensued.

As the pursuit continued towards the city of Hemet, California Highway Patrol and Hemet Police officials joined the chase.

The pursuit eventually entered the city of Hemet, where Krasowski drove along numerous city streets and through residential neighborhoods. At times during the pursuit, the fleeing suspect was seen hanging out the driver’s side window, waving and calling to people who had come out to the street to watch the pursuit.

Officials eventually used a spike strip to flatten all four tires of Krasowski’s truck and disable the vehicle.

Krasowski eventually stopped fleeing near the intersection of Morro Hill Road and Dusty Hill Road in the city of Hemet.

Sheriff’s officials search a compartment inside the bed of the pickup truck. John Strangis photo

Despite stopping, Krasowski refused to be taken into custody and was heard yelling for officers and deputies to shoot him. (Audio of the end of the pursuit can be heard on a video below.)

Officials eventually deployed a Taser to “gain control of (Krasowski), safely affecting the arrest,” Willison explained.

The unidentified woman was also detained; however she was not arrested and was not named by officials. She was reportedly later released.

Krasowski was transported an area hospital for a medical evaluation. He was later booked into the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, recklessly evading, resisting arrest with violence and resisting/obstructing an officer.

Because an officer-involved shooting occurred, investigators from the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation.

No citizens, deputies, or officers were injured during the incident, according to Willison.

“The deputy involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave per Department policy,” said Willison. “The deputy’s names will not be released at this time.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident or who witnessed the shooting is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Dickey at (951) 955-2777. Callers can refer to incident file number SW172110014 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

Click any to open full-size gallery.

Officials successfully used spike strips to flatten all four of the fleeing suspect’s tires. John Strangis photo

Officials cordoned off several streets while they investigated where a pursuit ended. John Strangis photo

Officials flooded into the Hemet neighborhood after the end of the officer-involved shooting related pursuit. John Strangis photo

Officials remained at the scene for several hours after the end of the pursuit. John Strangis photo

Officials discuss the incident that began in Winchester and ended in the city of Hemet. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

A sheriff’s mobile command center was brought to where the Sunday morning’s pursuit ended. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

Officials worked from a Sheriff’s mobile command center while they investigated the officer involved shooting. John Strangis photo

A sheriff’s official exits a Sheriff’s mobile command center. John Strangis photo

Evidence technicians assisted during the hours-long investigation, Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

Evidence technicians from the Sheriff’s Forensic Services Bureau assisted with the investigation. John Strangis photo

Officials cordoned off the area while they investigated the shooting incident and subsequent pursuit. John Strangis photo

Officials remained at the scene for several hours after the pursuit came to an end on a Hemet street. John Strangis photo

Sheriff’s officials discuss the shooting and pursuit. John Strangis photo

Sheriff’s officials search a hidden compartment inside the bed of the pickup truck. John Strangis photo

A spike stop was successfully used to flatten all four tires on the fleeing truck. John Strangis photo

Evidence technicians documented, photographed and collected evidence at the scene. Strangis photo

Evidence technicians from the Sheriff’s Forensic Services Bureau document the area where the pursuit came to an end. John Strangis photo

Officials were seen for several hours at the location where the pursuit ended. John Strangis photo

A forensic technician prepares to cover the open windows of the suspect’s truck. John Strangis photo

An evidence technician covers the open windows of the suspect’s truck. It was not immediately known if the windows were shot out by the deputy who fired at the man. John Strangis photo

A sheriff’s investigator assists an evidence technician at the scene, John Strangis photo

John Strangis video

Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents video

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor 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 and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.