A man who allegedly tried to shoot his way into a Riverside apartment and then turned his gun on police officers when they confronted him, resulting in him being shot, must stand trial on multiple felony charges, a judge ruled Thursday.
Baltazar Antonio Lievano, 37, was arrested last January after the officer-involved shooting in the 11400 block Magnolia Avenue, near Fillmore Street.
Following a preliminary hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Matt Perantoni found there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial on four counts of assault with a firearm on a peace officer, and one count each of reckless gunfire, attempted burglary and being in possession of a controlled substance while armed.
The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for Jan. 28 and keft Lievano’s bail at $2 million. The defendant is being held at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.
Lievano allegedly tried to force his way inside a unit at the apartment complex about 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2020, opening fire with a handgun during the attempted break-in, prompting calls to 911, according to Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback.
He said patrol officers arrived within a few minutes and encountered the “heavily armed suspect,” whom they ordered to surrender.
Railsback alleged that the defendant did not follow commands and posed an imminent threat to the lawmen, at least one of whom fired several shots, wounding Lievano in the upper body.
No officers or civilians were injured.
It was unclear why the defendant tried to gain access to the apartment, or who was inside.
Lievano underwent surgery at Riverside Community Hospital and was later transferred to the sheriff’s infirmary at Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where he spent several weeks recovering.
He has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.