Female Suspect Shot, Killed By Deputy In Corona

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

CORONA, CA — A female suspect who allegedly assaulted a deputy in Corona early Tuesday morning was fatally shot by the law enforcement officer, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department announced.

The incident unfurled around 1:10 a.m. 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.

Instead of cooperating with the deputy, the people ran off. The law enforcement officer chased them on foot but when he turned a corner, a male 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 female was hit by gunfire.

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

Bystanders eventually intervened and helped the deputy detain the male suspect.

Paramedics were called and the female was taken to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Her identity was not immediately released.

The deputy sustained moderate injuries and was sent to a hospital; the male suspect sustained minor injuries.

There was no update about arrests.

According to 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.