After Woman Shot Dead By Deputy In Corona, Suspect Arrest Announced

CORONA, CA — An investigation continued Wednesday into the shooting death this week of a woman in Corona by a Riverside County sheriff's deputy, and a suspect arrest was announced.

Under state law, the California Department of Justice investigates fatal law enforcement shootings of unarmed civilians.

"Following notification by local authorities, DOJ’s California Police Shooting Investigation Team initiated an investigation in accordance with AB 1506 mandate," the DOJ announced Tuesday. "Upon completion of the investigation, it will be turned over to DOJ’s Special Prosecutions Section within the Criminal Law Division for independent review."

The deadly incident unfurled around 1:10 a.m. Tuesday in the 1000 block of West 6th Street in Corona when a deputy tried to "contact multiple subjects," the sheriff's department reported.

It's not clear why the deputy wanted to speak to the people, but instead of cooperating with him they allegedly ran off. The law enforcement officer chased them on foot but when he turned a corner, a man from the group "lunged at him and a fight ensued," according to the sheriff's department.

As the deputy struggled with the suspect, "a female began assaulting the deputy," the department continued. The deputy fired his weapon and the woman was hit by gunfire.

"The deputy continued to fight off the male suspect who was attempting to take his firearm," the agency said.

Bystanders intervened and helped the deputy detain the unarmed man. He was identified as Eric Nourani, a 33-year-old San Diego County resident.

The wounded woman was taken to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Her identity was not immediately released.

The deputy suffered moderate injuries in the alleged melee and was sent to a hospital. Nourani sustained minor injuries, according to the sheriff's department.

Nourani was booked into Riverside's Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of murder, mayhem and attempted murder of a police officer. He's being held in lieu of $1 million bail and court records show he has no criminal history in Riverside County.

Per Riverside County Sheriff's Department policy, the Lake Mathews-based deputy will be placed on paid administrative leave.

The location where the incident occurred is near bordering jurisdictions of the Lake Mathews Sheriff’s Station and Corona Police Department, according to sheriff's Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez.