A Riverside County sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot Thursday afternoon during a traffic stop in Jurupa Valley, and the suspect was killed two hours later during a confrontation with pursuing law enforcement officers following a lengthy pursuit that ended in Norco, prompting partial closure of Interstate 15.
The deputy was killed shortly before 2 p.m. in the 3900 block of Golden West Avenue, near Rathke Drive, less than a block from Rustic Lane Elementary School, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Chad Bianco confirmed that the deputy, whose identity was not immediately disclosed, was mortally wounded during the encounter. The motorcycle patrolman was reportedly taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where life-saving measures were attempted unsuccessfully.
The circumstances remained unclear, but early indications were that the ill-fated lawman was conducting a traffic enforcement stop.
The suspect, also not immediately identifed, fled in a black pickup truck, culminating in a pursuit that traveled at least two freeways in the Riverside metropolitan area.
Witnesses said that the alleged gunman was waving at other motorists as he drove southbound on I-15 with a phalanx of law enforcement vehicles from the sheriff’s department and California Highway Patrol on his tail.
The chase came to an end on southbound I-15 at Fourth Street in Norco, where the suspect’s vehicle may have been disabled by a spike strip. Images provided by multiple broadcasters suggested that the pickup might also have been rammed by a sheriff’s humvee.
He was killed at the scene, possibly during an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement officers, none of whom were injured.
Southbound I-15 was completely shut down at Sixth Street in Norco, where motorists were detoured, while the scene was processed, resulting in a miles-long traffic jam, stretching all the way back into San Bernardino.
The CHP could not immediately confirm when the closure would be lifted.
Streets throughout the residential area where the deputy was shot were blocked. Rustic Lane Elementary School is on winter break, and no classes were in session at the time of the shooting.
Bianco was slated to hold a news briefing to provide additional details sometime between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday.