Menifee officers opened fire on a suspect who turned toward them while reaching for his handgun, the Menifee Police Department announced today.
Officers responded to a domestic violence disturbance on Friday at approximately 8:49 p.m. in the 25000 block of Mountain Glen Circle. Information provided to dispatch indicated a male inside the home, identified as 29-year-old Freddy Robles, was assaulting his girlfriend and was armed with a handgun, the department said. Robles left the location before officers arrived only to return to the neighborhood shortly after officers arrived.
Robles sped away at a high rate of speed. A pursuit ensued but ended a few minutes later when Robles led officers back to the residence, where he exited his vehicle and attempted to force entry into the home.
Robles ignored the verbal commands from officers and continued to attempt to force the door open, the department said. The use of less-than-lethal options was unsuccessful.
Robles turned toward officers while reaching for his handgun in the front of his waistband and an officer-involved shooting occurred, the department said. The suspect was struck by the officers’ gunfire.
Officers and responding paramedics attempted lifesaving measures at the scene. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The two officers involved in the shooting were not injured.
The firearm found on Robles was determined to be loaded, the department said. Per department policy, the involved officers will be placed on paid administrative leave, pending an investigation.
The shooting is being investigated independently by the Riverside County Force Investigations Detail, which includes representatives of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
