Suspected DUI driver fatally shot at end of JV police pursuit – gun later recovered from scene

JURUPA VALLEY — A suspected drunk driver who led deputies on a vehicle pursuit was fatally shot by deputies at the end of the chase, early Sunday evening, June 3. A silver and gold handgun, reportedly tossed by the fleeing suspect, was later found and recovered near the scene of the deadly shooting that happened on the 9100 block of Bellegrave Avenue, between Avon Street and Mission Boulevard, in Jurupa Valley.

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The incident began about 5:25 p.m., when deputies from the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station received a report of a possible DUI driver in the area of 54th Street and Pedley Road in Jurupa Valley, Riverside Sheriff spokesperson Deputy Robyn Flores later explained from the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station.

Deputies responded to the area, located the suspected vehicle, and attempted to conduct a traffic enforcement stop, according to Flores. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop or yield to the deputies’ lights and sirens and tried to flee from officials.

Deputies initiated a vehicle pursuit that continued several miles to Bellegrave Avenue, “where the driver exited the vehicle and a deputy involved shooting occurred,” said Flores. “The suspect, whose name will not be released at this time, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.”

Security camera footage later located at a business near where the shooting occurred showed a pickup truck being pursued by a patrol SUV, followed by half a dozen additional patrol vehicles; however, the video did not show any details related to the shooting.

Within minutes of the fatal shooting deputies quickly began cordoning of the area with crime scene tape, as several women and children – who had rushed to the scene after hearing about the shooting – were seen crying and pleading for information about the deadly incident.

Based on the circumstances, investigators from the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation. They were assisted by members of the department’s Forensic Services Bureau and other officials.

As the investigation was getting underway, one woman who reportedly knew the man who had been shot and killed was later seen sobbing while talking to someone on the phone about the shooting. The woman requested to not be filmed or interviewed.

Family members of the alleged suspect began responding to the scene and were observed crying, holding each other, and quietly discussing what they had been told about the fatal incident.

None of the man’s family members were willing to speak about or be interviewed regarding the incident.

One area resident, who requested to only be identified as “Josie” later explained from the scene that a handgun, allegedly tossed by the fleeing suspect, was found near the edge of her Glen Street property.

In an interview with William Hayes of OC Hawk News, Josie said she first became aware of the pursuit and shooting when she was on her way home. “I noticed helicopters and streets blocked off,” Josie explained.

“People driving by told me officers were looking for something,” said Josie, who continued, “I went into my house and came back out and I saw something shiny. I looked to the ground and apparently the suspect threw a gun into my front yard.”

Josie reportedly found the handgun in a garden near the end of her driveway. After finding the weapon the woman said she notified officials, who were later seen photographing and retrieving the weapon.

Asked later about the handgun found near the scene of the fatal shooting, Flores told OC Hawk News, “At this time we can’t comment about any weapons involved, as this is an ongoing investigation.”

Officials have not specified how many deputies were involved in the deadly shooting, how many rounds were fired, or how many times the suspect was struck by gunfire.

No law enforcement personnel were injured as a result of the pursuit or shooting, according to Flores, who stated, “There are no outstanding suspects and no threat to the community.”

The deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave per department policy and their names will not be released at this time.

The sheriff’s investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Investigator Higgins at (951) 955-2777, or Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station Investigator Contreras (951) 955-2600. Callers can refer to incident file number JV181540134 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

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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 several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta 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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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.