Suspect killed in officer-involved shooting in Lake Elsinore

Riverside County Sheriff's Department officials announced Thursday night that the suspect in an officer-involved shooting in Lake Elsinore on Wednesday was killed during a confrontation with police.

Confirmation of the death wasn't announced until Thursday night because of the investigation of the incident, which closed down a portion of Interstate 15 Wednesday night, involved a chase along Railroad Canyon Road and ended in a neighborhood in the Tuscany Hills community.

It all began at about 8:50 p.m. Wednesday, when a California Highway Patrol officer made an enforcement stop of a suspected DUI driver on the southbound 15 near Indian Truck Trail. When approached, the driver threatened the officer and began making suspicious movements inside the vehicle, according to a CHP news release. The officer retreated as the driver exited his vehicle and began shooting at the patrol vehicle, disabling it. The officer was not injured.

As the vehicle sped away southbound on the 15, another CHP unit pursued the suspect and also was shot at by the suspect. The suspect exited the freeway at Railroad Canyon Road and headed east, leading officers on a chase through city streets until stopping at Villa Roma and Via Palmieki Court in Lake Elsinore. By that time, Sheriff's deputies were on the scene to assist in the pursuit.

According to a Sheriff's Department news release, the suspect was firing an assault rifle at officers and at a police helicopter during several points in the chase. After leaving his vehicle in the Tuscany Hills neighborhood, he attempted to enter a residence, firing his weapon into the home. A Sheriff's Department SWAT team soon arrived.

When the suspect fired upon SWAT team personnel, an officer-involved shooting occurred and the suspect was struck. He ultimately succumbed to his injuries, according to the news release. His identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. No one else was injured during the incident.

The deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave per department policy. Members of the Sheriff Department's Central Homicide Unit is conducting the investigation.