INCIDENT: Brandishing a Weapon / Assault with a Deadly Weapon / Deputy-Involved Shooting
LOCATION: 32700 block of Highway 18, Lucerne Valley
VICTIM: Confidential adult
Deputy Sheriff
SUSPECT: Adult male, 65 years of age, a resident of Big Bear
On Friday, December 18, 2020, at 5:23 a.m., Sheriff’s dispatch received a 9-1-1- call from an employee at the gas station located in the 32700 block of Highway 18 in Lucerne Valley.
The reporting party stated a male subject parked his vehicle in front of the store and brandished a knife toward the employee while outside. Fearing for her safety, the employee quickly went into the store, locked the front door, and called 9-1-1.
A deputy from the Victor Valley Station responded to the location, parking behind the suspect vehicle. The suspect was seated inside his vehicle, armed with a knife. Additional deputies were requested and responded to the location.
Deputies used the public address system to communicate with the suspect; however, he refused to comply with their commands to surrender peacefully.
The suspect suddenly placed his vehicle in reverse and backed up in an attempt to strike the deputies, colliding into a marked patrol unit.
Deputies’ deployed the less than lethal shotgun; however, it proved ineffective, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. The suspect drove his vehicle to a nearby gas station where it came to rest after colliding into a wall.
Deputies approached the vehicle and removed the suspect. Deputies immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) along with the assistance of medical aid personnel. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Detectives from the Homicide Detail responded to conduct the investigation. While processing the scene, detectives recovered the knife used by the suspect.
Riverside County Coroner will conduct the autopsy. No additional information is being released at this time.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Jerry Moreno, Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail at (909) 387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.
Refer: Detective Jerry Moreno or Sergeant Joseph Steers
Station: Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail
Phone No. (909) 387-3589
Case No. DR#072003547 H#2020-142
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department