Shooter Gunned Down By Police In Wildomar

UPDATE: Sheriff's officials provided updated information Wednesday indicating the alleged shooter is 54, not 52 as originally reported.

Reports of gunfire Tuesday evening in Wildomar escalated into an officer-involved shooting, authorities confirmed early Wednesday morning.

The incident began when police responded to a call of gunshots shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday in the 24000 block of Mercer Lane in Wildomar, according to Sgt. Lisa McConnell of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

A father and son drove to the residence and honked as they pulled into the drive, and that's when shots were fired from the home, McConnell said.

The pair quickly backed off the property and escaped injury, McConnell continued.

Wildomar police were called and a perimeter was established around the Mercer Lane home. Deputies set up a command center at Bundy Canyon Road and Harvest Way East in Wildomar, where multiple patrol cars were stationed. Sheriff's deputies from the Wildomar, Lake Elsinore and Menifee police departments all responded to the incident, along with a sheriff's helicopter and the sheriff's S.W.A.T. team.

The distance between the command center and Mercer Lane was less than a half mile.

"Throughout the whole ordeal, numerous rounds continued to be fired," McConnell continued.

Shortly after 10 p.m., deputies closed in on the residence and "for unknown reasons" the suspect walked out, rifle in hand, and that's when deputies fired on him, McConnell said.

The 54-year-old shooter, who lived at the house but whose identity had not been released at press time, was hit by police gunfire; his injuries were non life-threatening, McConnell said. He was transported to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar for treatment; he will later be transported to jail, McConnell said.

The suspect was not related to the father and son, the sergeant confirmed.

The names of the two deputies who shot the suspect have not been released. Per standard department policy, the officers will be placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into the shooting.

Nearby resident Brad Barnish, 45, woke up Tuesday night to the commotion.

“We heard shots – two sets of four shots,” he said, followed by “several bursts” later on.”

Barnish said a sheriff’s helicopter buzzed the area for hours, and multiple police cars zipped back and forth.

The rural area is unlit and dotted with mobile and manufactured homes connected by dirt roads.

Menifee resident Jaron Shedrick, 20, lives nearby and said he heard the police activity around 9 p.m. Tuesday. Shedrick went outside to investigate and at approximately 10:30 p.m. said he heard multiple gunshots fired and police yelling.  

Shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department S.W.A.T. team moved in on the home. After about 30 minutes the team reported the residence and outbuildings were clear and a search for any other shooters or victims was called off.

No police officers were injured during the more than six-hour incident. --Daniel Lane contributed to this report.