Ex-Con Killed in Confrontation with Deputies Identified

A parolee fatally shot following a sheriff’s pursuit in Hemet was identified Friday as a 27-year-old San Jacinto man.

Anthony Vallejo was killed Wednesday after allegedly leveling a pistol at Riverside County sheriff’s deputies.

According to sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Michael Vasquez, deputies spotted Vallejo about 4:30 p.m., driving in the area of California Road and state Route 74, on the outskirts of Hemet, and recognized him as a convicted felon wanted for alleged parole violations.

When deputies attempted to stop Vallejo, he punched his accelerator, heading east into the city, Vasquez said.

“After a brief pursuit, the suspect vehicle collided with a fence at the intersection of Cawston and Acacia avenues,” he said. “Immediately after the collision, the suspect emerged from his vehicle and pointed a firearm at deputies, causing an officer-involved shooting.”

Vallejo was pronounced dead at the scene. No deputies were injured.

The deputies who fired their weapons were placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

--City News Service