New Details Released in Deadly Temecula Officer-Involved Shooting

Temecula, CA– A man who was shot and killed by Temecula police on Tuesday had just committed a robbery and led police on an "erratic" chase through town, slamming into both a police patrol car and a citizen vehicle prior to his deadly confrontation with officers, police said Wednesday.

Authorities aren't releasing the name of the man yet, as next of kin needs to be notified. Two officers were involved in the shooting, and both have been placed on administrative leave, per department policy, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy Armando Munoz.

SEE ALSO: UPDATED: Police Shoot, Kill Robbery Suspect on Temecula Roadway

According to Munoz, the situation began to unfold around 3:45 p.m. when police got a call for an in-progress robbery in the 32400 block of Temecula Parkway. Officers arrived shortly after getting the report and say they spotted the suspect as he was fleeing the business and entering a vehicle.

From there, police say the man drove recklessly through town for about four miles. Photos and video from witnesses showed multiple police cruisers in pursuit of a red SUV.

"The suspect quickly fled the location and began to drive erratically through traffic," Munoz said. "Officers attempted to stop the driver but he continued to avoid officers by driving at a high rate of speed, ignoring traffic signals, and a pursuit ensued."

During the chase, the man crashed into a police patrol unit at the intersection of North General Kearny Road and Calle Pina Colada, according to Munoz. He also slammed into a local citizen's vehicle, sending two adults and five children to the hospital, according to the Press Enterprise.

"The suspect continued to ignore the pursuing officers and broadsided a citizen’s vehicle at the intersection of Moraga and Margarita," Munoz said. "The occupants of the vehicle were transported to a local hospital for minor injuries."

After that crash, the suspect drove just a short distance more and came to a stop on Moraga, just south of Margarita, according to Munoz. That's when the shooting happened.

"The officers approached the vehicle to arrest the suspect, and an officer-involved shooting occurred," he said.
"Officers called paramedics to the scene where they pronounced him deceased."

Details surrounding the moments just prior to the shooting are still limited. Police did not say if they spotted a weapon.

Hours after the shooting, two crime scenes remained blocked off from the public — both the fast food eatery where the holdup allegedly occurred, and Moraga Road where the officer-involved shooting happened. That roadway was closed until after midnight while authorities conducted their investigation at the scene of the shooting.

Now, police are asking anyone with information related to the incident to call 951.955.2777.