On Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 7:29 p.m., officers from the Riverside County Regional Gang Task Force were in the area of Florida Avenue and Fairview Avenue, in the unincorporated area of Hemet known as Valle Vista, when they attempted to contact an adult male subject.
The subject fled and the task force officers gave chase.
During the foot pursuit, the subject produced a handgun and an officer-involved shooting occurred.
The subject was struck by gunfire and officers rendered medical aid until paramedics arrived.
The subject was transported to a local area hospital in critical condition. No officers were injured during this incident.
The involved Hemet Police Officer assigned to the task force will be placed on paid administrative leave according to Hemet Police Department policy. The name of the involved officer will not be released at this time.
An investigator from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office who is assigned to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Force Investigation Detail will lead this investigation.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Riverside County Sheriff’s Master Investigator Jarred Bishop or Riverside County District Attorney Investigator Eric Crosson at 951-955-2777
--While investigators were working the crime scene at about 9:00 pm, an RSO unit blocking Florida Ave at 1st St, just up the road from the OIS scene was crashed into by a black pickup truck. No injuries were reported. Florida Ave from Fairview Ave to 1st Street will be blocked in both direction for an unknown duration.