Man Shot By Deputy In Lake Elsinore Pleads Guilty To Assaulting Peace Officer

A Lake Elsinore man who struck a sheriff's deputy with his own baton as he attempted to break up a domestic altercation between the defendant and his girlfriend -- prompting the lawman to shoot him -- pleaded guilty today to assault on a peace officer and other felonies.

During a status hearing at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, the defense and prosecution informed Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark that 40-year-old Edmundo Banuelas would be changing his plea, admitting the assault count, as well as one count each of taking a weapon from a peace officer and exhibiting a weapon in a threatening manner.

Clark scheduled a sentencing hearing for Jan. 17. It was not immediately known what sentence would be imposed.

Banuelas remains free on $25,000 bail.

According to sheriff's officials, Banuelas confronted a deputy around 8 p.m. on the night of Dec. 12, 2012.

Witnesses called 911 to report a loud verbal exchange between a man and woman outside a residence in the 32000 block of Meadow Wood Lane in Lake Elsinore's Canyon Hills community.

The male half in the dispute, Banuelas, was spotted by deputies when they arrived, and he was immediately detained, according to sheriff's Sgt. Lisa McConnell.

One deputy handcuffed and placed Banuelas in his patrol unit, then spoke with the woman, McConnell said.

After getting the woman's side of the story, the deputy decided to release Banuelas.

"Upon having his handcuffs removed, Banuelas turned and attacked the (deputy)," McConnell said.

"In an attempt to defend himself, the deputy deployed his baton and gave repeated commands for Banuelas to cease his attack. During the assault, Banuelas was able to grasp hold of the ... baton."

To defend himself, the deputy fired a shot, inflicting a non-life-threatening wound on Banuelas and ending the attack, according to McConnell.

Banuelas was briefly hospitalized and made a full recovery. The deputy was treated for minor injuries, sheriff's officials said. --City News Service