Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Palm Springs

A man armed with a knife was fatally shot by Palm Springs police after allegedly threatening employees at a business, as authorities continued their investigation into the shooting Friday.

Officers responded to a report of a person brandishing a weapon shortly after 3:40 p.m. Thursday in the 1200 block of East Palm Canyon Drive, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.

The reporting party told authorities that the suspect, identified only as a man in a dark-colored shirt and jeans, was acting “erratically” and threatening employees at the location with a knife, the department stated.

Officers at the scene attempted to communicate with the suspect, police said. However, they deployed de-escalation efforts, used the department’s Community Behavioral Assessment Team and used less-lethal options after recognizing his “erratic behavior.” During the interaction, at least one officer shot the man. Paramedics arrived at the scene a short time later and transported the injured man to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity was withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The exact circumstances that led to the shooting were not immediately available. No officers were injured.

The department’s Professional Standards Division was investigating the shooting in accordance with the department’s policy.

Additionally, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Force Investigation Division was conducting a separate investigation into the officer-involved shooting and will submit their findings to the county’s District Attorney’s Office for review.

Anyone with additional information regarding the shooting was asked to call 760-327-1441, or report tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.