MECCA: Woman’s charred remains found at scene of earlier fatal deputy involved shooting

MECCA — Homicide officials already investigating the deadly deputy involved shooting of an axe-wielding man are now also investigating after a woman’s charred remains were discovered at the scene of the earlier fatal shooting. The fatal shooting and later grisly discovery of the woman’s remains happened in the area of Lincoln Street and 66th Avenue in Mecca.

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In an original press release after the June 3, fatal deputy involved shooting, Riverside County Sheriff’s spokesperson Deputy Robyn Flores explained deputies had originally responded to the area early Sunday morning, to assist CHP and Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighters reportedly dealing with a “non-compliant subject armed with an axe.”

A deputy who responded to the location later shot and killed the axe-wielding man, who officials have not yet publicly named.

Although the alleged suspect was treated by fire and rescue personnel at the scene before being transported to an area hospital, the unidentified man later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by hospital staff.

Officials have not specified how many rounds the deputy fired at the suspect or how many times the man was struck.

About 14 hours after the deadly shooting, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire was dispatched back to the location to extinguish debris that was still smoldering at the scene of the earlier fire and fatal shooting, according to Flores.

“While separating a pile of debris, the charred remains of an adult female were found,” wrote Flores. “Attempts are being made to identify the female and her cause of death is currently under investigation by the Coroner’s Office.”

According to Flores, members of the sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit, who were already investigating the deadly deputy involved shooting are now also working to determine if the discovery of the woman’s charred remains are related to the original fire that ultimately led to the axe-wielding man’s shooting death.

“Any relationship to the suspect involved in the earlier deputy involved shooting is unknown,” Flores explained.

Anyone with information related to the deadly shooting or victim’s discovery is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Investigator Navarrete at (951) 955-2777, or Thermal Sheriff’s Station Investigator Tijerina (760) 863-8990. Callers can refer to incident file number C181540011 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline 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 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.