A 30-year-old man who was gravely wounded at the end of a pursuit by Riverside County sheriff’s deputies in Perris died in the hospital, leading to an autopsy that indicated the fatal shot was self-inflicted, authorities said Friday.
Karim Shakeel Ali of Beaumont succumbed to his injuries Tuesday, after nearly a day under intensive care at an Inland Empire trauma center, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
“The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” the agency said in a statement.
The sheriff’s Force Investigations Detail received the coroner’s report after initiating its probe into the shooting, which involved an undisclosed number of patrol deputies who forcibly stopped Ali while he was allegedly trying to flee through Mead Valley.
Investigators said that just before 3 p.m. Monday, an individual, whose identity was not disclosed, called 911 from a property in the 5000 block of Western Way, saying Ali was suffering from a “mental health episode” and was headed to the residence with a gun.
Deputies deployed to the area and quickly spotted Ali’s vehicle on northbound Interstate 215 at Placentia Avenue, where they signaled him to stop, which he ignored, according to sheriff’s officials.
He allegedly fled about four miles, exiting the freeway into Mead Valley, where he turned west. A K9 unit extended a grappler device beneath the rear of Ali’s car, causing him to veer out of control and come to an immediate stop at the intersection of Harvill and Oleander avenues, according to the department.
“As deputies gave commands to the man, he produced a handgun, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred,” the agency stated.
No deputies were injured.
Ali was taken to the hospital in grave condition.
Officials did not specify whether or how many of the shots fired by deputies actually hit him, and it was unclear when he allegedly turned the pistol on himself.
Chad’s ppl fired shots, Chad’s ppl determined the COD!