Deputy Shoots Man Who Allegedly Threatened Him With Knife

A Riverside County sheriff's deputy has shot a male suspect in the City of Perris, it's being reported.

The incident occurred Wednesday morning shortly after 7 a.m. when officers from the Perris Police Department responded to the 700 block of Penasco Grande Street, regarding suspicious activity. 

"The caller stated that two adult male suspects were trying to look inside his garage. When he confronted them, one of the suspects brandished a knife and threatened the caller," read a report from Deputy Albert Martinez, a spokesman for the sheriff's department.

The caller reported the suspects were headed toward the area of Arrowhead Circle and Mountain Avenue. Once the first officer arrived in the area, he saw the two suspects walking in his direction, Martinez reported. 

"The officer exited his police car and attempted to stop and question the suspects," Martinez continued. 

One of the suspects stopped and complied with the officer's command. But the other man, who was armed with the knife, "ignored" the commands and "advanced" toward the officer who then fired his weapon, Martinez reported.

Cal-Fire and American Medical Response were summoned to the scene.

"The suspect was transported to a local hospital and received medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries," Martinez added.

The wounded suspect was identified as Patrick Domingo Halbert, 29, of Perris. According to Martinez, he will be booked for attempted murder on a peace officer.

At press time, no jail records were available on the suspect.   

The second suspect was questioned and released, according to Martinez.