Authorities Investigate Fatal RivCo Deputy-Involved Shooting

MORENO VALLEY, CA — Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Moreno Valley that led to the death of a 39-year-old man, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said Thursday.

Bianco described the incident in a video posted on the department's YouTube channel. The shooting occurred shortly after deputies with the Moreno Valley Sheriff's Station responded to a report of arson at 12:25 a.m. on Dec. 14 at a home in the 1600 block of Heather Glen Road.

The caller reported that a family member was acting erratically and attempting to set a fire inside the home, Bianco said. When deputies arrived, they found the home engulfed in flames and were told that the subject was at the rear of the residence. The deputies entered through the backyard and located a man lying on the ground.

The suspect failed to comply with orders, and instead, pointed a firearm at the deputies, prompting a deputy-involved shooting in which the man was struck, according to Bianco.

Deputies administered medical aid until paramedics arrived. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced deceased. Body camera footage of the incident was shown in the video.

The suspect was later identified as Marcus Lamoyne Martinez, 39, a resident of Moreno Valley. The weapon used by Martinez was a Glock-style BB gun, according to Bianco.

"When we have a deputy-involved shooting, multiple investigations are automatically launched," Bianco said, adding that the Riverside County District Attorney's Office will lead the investigation alongside the Riverside County Sheriff's Office Force Investigations Detail.

—City News Service