A foot chase in Valle Vista erupted into gunfire last night as a Regional Gang Task Force officer shot a man who allegedly brandished a handgun during the pursuit, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office reported.
The incident unfolded around 7:29 p.m. on Thursday, near Florida Avenue and Fairview Avenue, when task force officers from the Riverside County Regional Gang Task Force tried to approach an adult male subject, the subject did not comply but instead fled on foot, leading to officers giving chase and resulting in the officer-involved shooting, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Struck by gunfire, the subject received medical attention from officers until paramedics arrived; he was later transported to a local hospital in critical condition, authorities stated, ensuring that no officers sustained injuries from the confrontation.
The Hemet Police Department has since placed the unidentified officer involved on paid leave, which aligns with department policy. Meanwhile, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office will spearhead the ongoing investigation with the Force Investigation Detail, a statement obtained by the Sheriff's Office declared, urging anyone with information to contact investigators.
While the investigation remains active, full details have not yet been released.
