A lethal force encounter with Sheriff’s Deputies at a Joshua Tree home left one man dead on Wednesday night (January 11). At 8:25 p.m., Deputies responded to a report of a man breaking into a house on the 61700 block of Oleander Drive. Deputies say that the man was attempting to break into a house after breaking a window, and was shouting obscenities at the female resident of the house.
When Deputies arrived, they say that the man pointed what they believed was a weapon at them, and Deputies fired their weapons at the man. The man was struck, and transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. During a search of the location, Deputies found no weapons, and the Sheriff’s Office does not believe the man was armed.
Z107.7 spoke to a neighbor who said he heard “up to 10 shots” late that night, but the witness couldn’t pinpoint a time when he heard the shots occur.
Oleander Dr. was blocked off east of Park Blvd. with “Road Closed” signs and a police presence early this morning, but was clear as of 12:00PM on Thursday (Jan. 12)
The Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division responded and assumed the investigation.
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506, the Department of Justice (DOJ) was contacted and is conducting the investigation.
With additional reporting by Robert Haydon
Updated at 5 p.m., January 12
Below is our earlier coverage of the incident.
The Sheriff’s office is investigating a lethal force encounter in the 61700 block of Oleander Dr that occurred last night (Jan.11) in Joshua Tree. Deputies responded to a report of a male suspect breaking into a home at 8:25 p.m.
Z107.7 spoke to a neighbor who said he heard “up to 10 shots” late night on the 11th, but couldn’t pinpoint a time when he heard the shots occur.
Oleander Dr. was blocked off east of Park Blvd. with “Road Closed” signs and a police presence early this morning, but was clear as of 12:00PM on Thursday (Jan. 12)
This is an ongoing story and Z107.7 will provide updates as we learn them.
Photo Credit: Michael McKinsey
Photo Credit: Z107.7 FM
