A Yucca Valley man was shot by Sheriff’s Deputies Friday afternoon after he armed himself with a rock. On Friday, October 23, at 4:39 p.m., Sheriffs Deputies were conducting a business check at Tortoise Rock Casino in Twentynine Palms when, Joseph McLaughlin, 30 of Yucca Valley was seen exiting the casino. Deputies recognized McLaughlin as a parolee at large with a felony arrest warrant. Deputies attempted to contact him, but McLaughlin fled across the parking lot and into the desert, failing to obey commands from deputies to stop. When McLaughlin suddenly stopped and reportedly armed himself with a large rock, a deputy-involved shooting occurred. McLaughlin was struck by gunfire and was transported to a local area hospital with non life-threatening injuries. A deputy sustained an injury during the event and was transported to a local area hospital, treated, and released. Detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail are conducting the investigation. Joseph McLaughlin will be booked for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and his felony arrest warrant upon release from the hospital. Z107.7 news will provide more information as it becomes available.
