Suspect Killed By Law Enforcement In Beaumont ID'd By Coroner

BEAUMONT, CA — The identity of a man who was shot and killed by law enforcement gunfire in Beaumont was released Tuesday by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Bureau.

Dennis McHugh, 44, of Glendora died just after 2:30 a.m. New Year's Eve in the 400 block of E. 4th Street, according to the coroner.

The fatal incident began around 9:57 p.m. Dec. 30 when deputies from the Perris Sheriff's Station responded to a domestic violence dispute in the 17000 block of Ridge Canyon Drive in Woodcrest, which is an unincorporated community in Perris.

When deputies arrived, a male suspect — later identified as McHugh— had fled the area. Deputies learned he had a felony warrant for a violation of an assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, kidnapping, vandalism, and a domestic violence restraining order violation, according to law enforcement.

A search for McHugh continued into the night and he was eventually tracked down shortly after 1 a.m. Dec. 31 in the 400 block of E. 4th Street in Beaumont by a Riverside County Sheriff's Department helicopter crew.

Law enforcement on the ground arrived at the location but McHugh attempted to flee by ramming a vehicle into multiple police cars, causing an officer to become trapped under one of the vehicles, according to law enforcement agencies.

More backup arrived at the scene from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Beaumont Police Department, Banning Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol.

At one point, officers and deputies fired on McHugh.

"Numerous attempts were made to have the suspect exit the vehicle and, after no movement, deputies safely approached the vehicle and found the suspect deceased on scene," according to law enforcement.

The involved deputies and officers were placed on administrative leave per their department policies. Their names were not released.

The officer who was trapped beneath the vehicle was sent to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.

No other deputies or officers were injured during this incident, and no other suspects were being sought.

An investigator from the Riverside County District Attorney's Office is leading an investigation into the shooting, aided by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.