UPDATE: Man who died after “physical altercation” with Menifee store’s loss prevention ID’d

UPDATED: Saturday, Jan. 20 1:30 a.m., With victim’s identification, additional details

 

MENIFEE — A Los Angeles man who authorities say was involved in a parking lot scuffle with loss prevention officers died two days later at a Murrieta hospital. According to officials, the man possibly sustained fatal injuries when loss prevention officers detained him after seeing him stealing merchandise from a Menifee business.

38-year-old, Roderick Williams became unresponsive shortly after being involved in a “physical altercation” with loss prevention officers who “physically detained” him while waiting for law enforcement officers to arrive, according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Ben Ramirez.

Members of the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit are now investigating the circumstances surrounding Williams’ apprehension last Friday and his death 48 hours later.

The incident that led to William’s death happened at a business on the 30200 block of Haun Road, south of Newport Road, in Menifee. Officials have not released the name of the business.

Williams died two days later, after being taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center in Murrieta. He was taken to the hospital to receive treatment for injuries he sustained “possibly due to the altercation,” Ramirez explained after Williams’ Jan. 14 death.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Menifee Police Station responded to the business just after noon, Jan. 12, after receiving reports of a possible armed robbery in progress.

When deputies arrived, they found loss prevention officers holding Williams down in a parking lot, according to Ramirez.

Based on injuries Williams possibly sustained while being apprehended by loss prevention staff, deputies summoned paramedics to the scene to evaluate and treat Williams.

Officials did not specify the nature or extent of Williams’ injuries or how he possibly received them while being detained.

Because of Williams’ injuries and “due to the altercation with loss prevention staff,” deputies transported him to a local hospital,” Ramirez explained.

“After arriving at the hospital, Williams became unresponsive and emergency treatment was administered by hospital staff,” said Ramirez. Because of his condition, Williams was not transported to jail and was instead admitted to the hospital for further treatment.

He remained in the care of hospital staff until he died two days later, according to Ramirez.

Officials investigating Williams’ death learned the incident began when loss prevention staff spotted him removing store merchandise from their packages before leaving the business without paying for the items.

“Loss prevention contacted Williams in the parking lot,” Ramirez explained. “During the contact, a physical altercation ensued.” Employees eventually managed to overpower Williams and they held him on the ground until deputies arrived and transported him to the hospital.

According to a release from Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s officials, both the date and time Williams sustained his fatal injuries are still part of the Sheriff’s investigation, which is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident or who witnessed any portion of the incident that led to Williams’ death is urged to contact homicide investigators at (951) 955-2777.  Callers can refer to incident file number ME180120047 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as 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, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries 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.