Double shooting suspect fatally shot by deputies after pursuit, crash

LAKE ELSINORE — A gun-wielding man, already wanted in connection with a double shooting that happened over the weekend, led deputies on a short chase before being fatally shot after crashing into another, occupied vehicle yesterday afternoon, Thursday, Dec. 20.

The deadly shooting was one of just three major incidents in southwest Riverside County that involved gunfire yesterday, including a fatal deputy-involved shooting in San Jacinto involving a man who was reportedly armed with at least one knife, as well as an hours-long standoff in Wildomar – (Link to be added). The Wildomar standoff happened after a man reportedly fired numerous rounds in the air while threatening neighbors, before barricading himself inside his home. That suspect eventually surrendered to officials without further violence.

LEADING THE RCNS HEADLINES:

Retired Marine engages Temecula home burglars in fierce gun battle, hitting one

SJ domestic violence call leads to fatal shooting of knife-wielding man

Son describes agony after Dr’s ask to pull plug on critically injured Anza mauling victim

Yesterday’s chain of events began shortly before 4 p.m., when deputies assigned to Lake Elsinore Police Station located a man wanted for questioning for his suspected involvement in the Saturday, Dec. 15 shooting of two men, Deputy Robyn Flores explained after the deadly encounter.

Deputies, investigators, and other officials work at the scene of yesterday’s fatal officer-involved shooting in Lake Elsinore.

Last weekend’s shooting, which left both victims with “life-threatening” injuries, according to an earlier sheriff’s release, happened at Lakefront Plaza on the 31000 block of Riverside Dr., between Lincoln and Joy streets.

When deputies attempted to conduct a traffic enforcement stop of the vehicle the suspect was driving, the man refused to yield to officials’ lights and sirens and a short pursuit ensued.

The chase continued until the driver – who has not yet been publicly named, pending further investigation and notification of the man’s family – crashed into an occupied vehicle in the 18500 block of Collier Ave. 

After crashing, the fleeing man allegedly exited his vehicle while armed with a weapon, at which time an officer involved shooting occurred, according to Flores.

“The suspect was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries,” Flores explained; saying, “There are no outstanding suspects or threat to public safety. ”

No deputies or other citizens were injured during the shooting; however, it was not immediately known if the victims inside the vehicle the fleeing man struck were injured.

Based on the circumstances, Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. A mobile command center was soon brought to the area and forensic technicians from the Sheriff’s Forensic Services Bureau also responded. They were later seen documenting, photographing, and collecting, various items of potential evidence near where the fatal shooting happened.

The deputy involved in the shooting, who Flores declined to publicly identify at this time, has been placed on administrative leave per Department policy. 

The sheriff’s investigation is ongoing and no additional details were available as of this report. 

Anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Investigator Johnson at (951) 955-2777, or Lake Elsinore Police Department’s Station Investigator Cardinale at (951) 245-3300. Callers can refer to incident file number L183540109 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

This is a developing incident that will be updated as new information is available.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of 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 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.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.

tagged with , , , , ,