UPDATED: Transient shot at homeless encampment after reportedly pulling weapon on deputy ID’d

UPDATED: Tuesday, May 1, 2 a.m., With suspect’s booking information

THOUSAND PALMS — A deputy conducting an area check of a “known transient encampment” earlier this morning encountered and later shot a 38-year-old transient who officials say had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

The deputy opened fire after an altercation ensued when he tried arrest the alleged suspect, who pulled out an undisclosed weapon, according to sheriff’s officials. The non-fatal shooting happened directly west of Thousand Trails RV campground in the unincorporated community of Thousand Palms, north of and between the cities of Palm Desert and Indio.

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Area residents later reported hearing as many as 5 to 6 gunshots, fired in rapid succession, and also reported seeing paramedics treating the alleged suspect for a leg injury. Officials have not specified how many rounds the deputy fired or how many times or where the alleged suspect was hit by the deputy’s gunfire.

After being treated and released from an area hospital, Michael Curtis was booked into Indio Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon against a police officer and trespassing on posted property. No information was immediately available regarding the warrant Curtis was originally wanted for, but it might have been related to his trespassing charge.

An online jail record search revealed Curtis remains in custody, held on $30,000 bail, and is scheduled to be arraigned at Indio’s Larson Justice Center, May 2.

The incident began Sunday, Apr. 29, about 8 a.m., when a deputy assigned to the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station conducted a check at a transient encampment on Varner Road west of Washington Street.

While checking the encampment, which sits within the shade of a long stand of Tamarack trees, just west of and adjacent a fence that surrounds the RV park and directly across the street from Freedom Park, the deputy encountered Curtis, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Chris Willison later explained in a written press release. While speaking with Curtis, the deputy conducted a records check and learned the man had an unspecified outstanding warrant.

Willison said based on the warrant, the deputy attempted to arrest Curtis, but “the suspect brandished a weapon at the deputy, and a deputy involved shooting occurred.”

Although officials did not specify the type of weapon Curtis allegedly armed himself with, at least two area news organizations ABC3 and CBS2 has reported the weapon was a handgun.

Curtis was reportedly hit by at least one of the rounds fired by the deputy, who immediately put out a radio call for priority assistance and requested medical personnel and supervisors to the scene.

Curtis was evaluated and treated at the scene before AMR medics transported him to an area hospital with what Willison described as “non-life-threatening injuries.”

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit and Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

Officials eventually brought a mobile command center to the scene and investigators and other officials were seen canvassing the area, searching for evidence or anyone who might have witnessed the shooting.

Technicians from the department’s Forensic Service Bureau were later observed documenting, photographing, and collecting various items of potential evidence, including the spent shell casings ejected from the deputy’s duty weapon.

During their investigation, which lasted through much of the remainder of the day, deputies shut down Varner Road, between Avenue 38 and Washington Street and commuters were directed away from the crime scene.

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

The deputy involved in the shooting, whose name has not been released, was placed on administrative leave per department policy, Willison explained. “This is an active investigation and no additional details are available at this time.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident or who witnessed the shooting is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Investigator Barajas at (951) 955-2777 or Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station Investigator McAnallen at (760) 836-1600. Callers can refer to incident file number O181190008 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 46, recently moved to Shasta County from Riverside County and 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.