This story was updated at 9:11 on 10/2/19
The Sheriff’s Department has identified the suspect who was shot and killed by deputies during a pursuit from Apple Valley to Yucca Valley Sunday as Anthony Watkins, 36, from Lucerne Valley. After leading deputies on a 62-mile pursuit from Apple Valley and threatening the lives of deputies by driving at them in a semi-truck and shooting at them, Watkins turned from Highway 247 onto westbound Highway 62 just before 11 p.m. Sunday. When Watkins reached Pinon Drive in Yucca Valley, he made a U-turn on the highway and started driving eastbound in the westbound lanes, directly at deputies. To avoid a collision, the lead deputy crossed over into the eastbound lanes, at which time Watkins also crossed into eastbound lanes. The semi rammed the patrol car and dragged it on the highway. Investigators say Watkins fired at the deputy who returned fire, causing the semi to veer off into a dirt berm on the south side of the highway. Other deputies arrived and fired on the semi, killing Watkins inside. During the subsequent investigation, detectives located a handgun inside the semi cab. The semi-truck has not been reported as stolen; however, investigators are continuing to investigate whether it was stolen and has not yet been reported. Highway 62 was finally reopened in both directions about 2 a.m. October 1, 27 hours after Watkins was killed.
