Sentencing Delayed for Elsinore Felon Who Fired Shot While Shoplifting

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA - With the terms of his plea deal unresolved, sentencing was postponed today for a convicted felon who fired a pistol to scare away a security guard after stealing merchandise from a Lake Elsinore store.

Tyler Scott Trotter, 27, pleaded guilty last month to assault with a firearm and being a convicted felon in possession of a gun. In exchange for his admissions, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office dropped charges of theft, making criminal threats and recklessly discharging a firearm.

A sentencing hearing was held before Superior Court Judge Richard Fields, who postponed the matter to Tuesday at the Riverside Hall of Justice after apparent confusion over the appropriate sentence that Trotter should receive for the felon with a gun charge. The prosecution and defense are expected to make a joint stipulation.

Trotter is being held in lieu of $170,000 bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.

According to sheriff's officials, the defendant swept through the Walmart on Grape Street on New Year's Day, stealing various items, then headed out into the parking lot, where a loss prevention officer attempted to detain
him.

Trotter dropped the stolen goods on the ground and pulled a semiautomatic handgun, pointing it skyward and firing a shot, said Sgt. James Woodland. The security guard, who was not injured, immediately retreated, and Trotter ran to a nearby vehicle, fleeing the location seconds later, according to Woodland.

Using store surveillance video, investigators were able to identify the ex-con, who was tracked down and arrested without incident on the night of Jan. 19 near the intersection of Pottery and Poe streets in Lake Elsinore.

According to court records, he has prior convictions for burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and hit-and-run resulting in great bodily injury.

--City News Service