Officer Involved Shooting
On July 31, 2012, at about 11:10 PM, a Hemet Police Officer was in the area of 200 E. Florida Ave. when he recognized a suspect that was wanted by Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for a car jacking that occurred in San Jacinto earlier in the day. When the officer attempted to contact him, the suspect took off running leading the officer on a foot chase through parts of the downtown area and then south towards a residential area. Officers were able to close in on the suspect in the yard of a residence in the 100 block of west Kimball Ave. At this point the suspect pulled out a handgun and pointed it towards two officers, who fired their handguns striking the suspect. The suspect was then taken into custody and medical aid rendered. No officers were injured in the incident. The suspect was first taken to Hemet Valley Medical Center, and then transferred to another hospital in Riverside County for treatment of his injuries. The suspect was admitted to the hospital and later died from his injuries.
This suspect has an extensive criminal history and he also had a warrant out for his arrest based upon non-compliance with his terms pursuant to Post Release Community Supervision, commonly known as AB 109. AB 109 is the law that shifted supervision of prisoners from the state parole officers to local jurisdictions and counties.
The two officers involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave while the investigation is conducted, and the name of the suspect is being with held pending notification of his next of kin by the Coroner’s Office.