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

SAN JACINTO — Deputies who responded to a domestic disturbance call involving a man reportedly threatening a woman with a knife led to the officer-involved shooting death of the armed suspect yesterday evening, Thursday, Dec. 20. The deadly shooting happened in the “5-Corners” area of S. Ramona Blvd. and E. Main St., in the City of San Jacinto.

Last night’s deadly shooting was one of just three major incidents in southwest Riverside County that involved gunfire, including a fatal deputy-involved shooting in Lake Elsinore involving a man wanted in connection with a double shooting last weekend, and 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.

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Deputies assigned to San Jacinto Police Station responded to the area at 7:24 p.m., after receiving reports of a domestic disturbance, Riverside Sheriff’s Deputy Robyn Flores said after the fatal shooting. 911 callers reported “that a male adult subject was armed with a knife, threatening a female,” said Flores. 

Without offering any other explanation of what may have led to the shooting and citing the ongoing investigation, Flores explained, “Officers made contact with the armed subject and an officer involved shooting occurred.”

Deputies put out on emergency broadcast immediately after the shooting, requesting additional deputies, medical personnel, and additional resources, to the scene. Deputies then quickly cordoned off a large section surrounding where the incident occurred, declaring the entire area a crime scene.

The alleged suspect was transported to an area hospital for treatment of his gunshot wounds, where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by medical personnel. The man’s name has not yet been released, pending further investigation and notification of his family.

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 left in the roadway and along a sidewalk near where the shooting happened.

One photograph taken after the shooting by Miguel Shannon of OC Hawk News showed a large bullet hole in the driver’s side front door of one of San Jacinto PD’s patrol SUV’s, but it was not immediately known if the round that struck the vehicle was fired from the alleged suspect or a deputy.

Deputies, investigators, and other officials, remained at the scene of yesterday night’s shooting throughout the evening and into the next morning, as they conducted their initial on-scene investigation.

No deputies or other citizens were injured during the incident and “there are no outstanding suspects or threats to public safety,” according to Flores. The officer involved in the shooting, who Flores declined to name, has been placed on administrative leave per Department policy.

Janelle Casarez, the oldest granddaughter of the man fatally shot last night, strongly disagreed with official accounts of the incident, telling RCNS this morning, “Last night was never related to domestic violence. It was just his daughter trying to calm him down.”

“When we called, we told them my grandpa was 5150 and begged them not hurt him because he was ill and not in his right mind,” explained Casarez, who claimed there were several witnesses and on-duty city workers who saw the incident “and will testify and be by our side, not the police officers.”

“They didn’t follow protocol and they didn’t give any warning before shooting,” Casarez continued. “They gunned him down – literally just an arm distance away.”

“He had his hands up and my mom was standing right behind him,” Casarez continued. “If the police officer would’ve missed he would’ve hit her right in the head.”

“Please, we just need the real story out and we need people to know how everything really happened,” Casarez pleaded. “We just want justice for him.”

Officials have not yet addressed Casarez’ claims; with Flores earlier saying, “This is an active investigation and no additional details are available at this time.” 

Anyone with information regarding this incident and investigation is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Investigator Dickey at (951) 955-2777, or San Jacinto Police Department’s Station Investigator Janecka at (951) 791-3400. Callers can refer to incident file number I183540080 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

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

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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.