An armed standoff in Hemet ended tragically when a man, donning body armor and wielding an assault rifle, was killed by deputies after he fired upon them. The confrontation flared up after deputies responded to a domestic dispute on the 26300 block of Jepson Court, where a female had reportedly been injured, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
The incident kicked off Tuesday night when sheriff's deputies tried to speak with the man who shut the door in their faces. Soon after, the deputies took positions outside the residence. That's when the man shot at them from inside and emerged armored and armed opening fire once again, setting off a deputy-involved shooting, Sergeant Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez detailed the sequence in an official statement. The deputies, who weren't harmed, administered medical aid to the gunman until EMS took over the handling of his injuries. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his wounds at a local hospital.
The woman involved in the earlier altercation was found at the scene and received treatment for her injuries, which were said not to be life-threatening. As per department policy, the deputy who shot the man has been placed on paid administrative leave, with their identity, along with the deceased's, being withheld at this time.
The investigation into the fatal shooting is being led by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office and the Sheriff's Department Force Investigations Detail. Authorities are urging anyone with information to step forward and contact Investigator Mario Moreno or Master Investigator Martin Alfaro at 951-955-2777.
