A 32-year-old man who allegedly attacked relatives and pulled a knife on Menifee police officers when they arrived to investigate was shot by the lawmen, though not fatally, authorities said Thursday.
Ismel Armenta of Menifee was wounded just after 9 p.m. Wednesday at his family’s residence in the 28000 block of Eridanus Drive, near Milky Way, according to the Menifee Police Department.
Capt. Paul Barbieri said that members of the suspect’s family called 911 when an altercation erupted in the home and Armenta allegedly began assaulting them.
Two patrol officers reached the location within a few minutes and entered the property, immediately encountering the suspect, “who was armed with a knife and failed to comply with the officers’ commands,” the captain said.
“Officers attempted to deploy a Taser, but it was ineffective,” he said. “Armenta then advanced toward the officers, resulting in an officer-involved shooting.”
After securing the knife, the officers rendered medical aid and summoned Riverside County Fire Department paramedics, who provided emergency treatment until the suspect was taken to a regional trauma center, where he was listed in stable condition Thursday, according to the police spokesman.
The officers, whose identities were not disclosed, weren’t hurt. They were placed on paid administrative leave pending an independent probe into tactics and circumstances that will be carried out by the county Force Investigations Detail, comprised of sheriff’s detectives and personnel from the District Attorney’s Office.
Background information on Armenta was unavailable.