Suspect Shoots Himself After Desert Chase: RivCo Sheriff's Department

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A domestic violence suspect who threatened his ex-girlfriend, led a police chase, then shot himself but survived, remained in custody Friday morning after being apprehended in the Coachella Valley, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The incident unfurled just before 2 a.m. Wednesday when deputies from the Cabazon Sheriff's Station responded to a domestic assault in the 12800 block of Emerald Drive in White Water, the department reported.

Jairo Chaides, 37, allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend, held her against her will, and threatened to kill her while brandishing a handgun, according to the sheriff's department.

Before deputies could question him, the Whitewater man fled in a Ford pickup truck and disappeared.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m. Thursday, however, the truck was spotted on Interstate 10 near Washington Street in Palm Desert, according to the agency.

"A traffic stop was attempted by ground units and the driver, who was visually identified as Chaides, immediately fled at a high rate of speed," according to the department's report.

A chase began — Chaides led deputies on westbound I-10 to eastbound Highway 62, then over to the westbound side of the highway and onto eastbound I-10.

"During the pursuit, Chaides brandished a handgun and pointed it at deputies," according to the sheriff's department.

The chase ended when the California Highway Patrol deployed a tire deflation device that disabled the Ford on eastbound I-10 near Date Palm Drive.

"While he was sitting in the driver’s seat, Chaides pointed the handgun at his own head and refused to exit the vehicle," according to the sheriff's department.

Law enforcement tried to get Chaides to surrender but he would not so a chemical agent was used, the agency continued.

During the confrontation, Chaides shot himself but the wound was non-life-threatening, according to the sheriff's department.

He was treated on-scene by deputies and the Cathedral City Fire Department, then transported by ambulance to a local hospital.

Chaides will remain in custody while being treated and will eventually be booked into county jail on multiple felony charges, according to the sheriff's department.