Search continuing for armed man after scuffle at San Jacinto Walmart that injured employee

SAN JACINTO, Calif., — Authorities say an attempted theft and brandishing of a firearm at a San Jacinto Walmart led to a large police presence and wide-scale search, both inside and around the business, early yesterday evening, Monday Oct. 25.

Although several area media organizations reported last night’s incident as an active shooter situation, officials have since said that no shots were fired. However, they have confirmed that a Walmart employee was injured during a scuffle with the handgun-wielding suspect.

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Deputies from the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to the Walmart in the 1800 block of S. San Jacinto Avenue shortly before 6 p.m. after receiving reports of an altercation between employees and an armed subject, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Ken Hoon has since reported.

“Multiple deputies arrived on scene and secured the area ensuring the safety of the employees and patrons,” Hoon described.

Numerous deputies from throughout the San Jacinto valley converged on the scene of a violent altercation that happened just outside a San Jacinto Walmart last night when an attempted thief pulled out a handgun while scuffling with store employees who attempted to detain him. Hemet Crime Society photos

When officials arrived they learned the handgun-wielding suspect had already fled the scene, leading deputies to close off a large area of the store’s parking lot while they searched the surrounding businesses and streets. The man was not immediately located, according to Hoon and a pair of subsequent social media releases from the department.

During their investigation deputies learned the suspect, described as a male adult, approximately 5’09”, last seen wearing a black beanie, white flannel shirt, and dark colored jeans, attempted to leave the store without paying for items.

“When the suspect attempted to leave the store, he was confronted by employees and a physical altercation ensued,” Hoon explained. “During the altercation, one Walmart employee was injured, and the suspect produced a black handgun.”

According to Hoon, the suspect fled the scene with an unknown woman prior to deputy’s arrival and officials are continuing to search for the pair.

Cellphone footage of the violent incident that was later obtained by Hemet News (which can be viewed below) showed a scuffle occurring just outside the entrance/exit doors involving multiple subjects, as shocked witnesses and shoppers gathered around watching and filming the incident.

As the person filming approached the scuffle to get a better view of what was happening, the male pulled out what appeared to be a black handgun, sending terrified shoppers scattering in all directions as he then fled the scene on foot.

No other injuries were reported and the Sheriff’s investigation is continuing.

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Anyone with information regarding this incident or who knows the identity and/or whereabouts of the alleged suspect is encouraged to immediately contact Deputy Solis at (951) 791-3400. Callers can refer to incident file number I212980087 and can remain anonymous.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

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 30 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 18 grandchildren.

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