Woman Shot, Domestic Violence Suspect Killed During Police Standoff Near Temecula

FRENCH VALLEY, CA —A woman was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, and a domestic violence suspect was killed in French Valley early Monday morning following a shootout with Riverside County Sheriff's Department Deputies.

Just after 2:45 a.m., deputies were called to a home in the 35500 block of Shadow Drive in French Valley regarding a domestic violence incident.

"Sheriff’s Dispatch received information that an armed male was inside the residence, assaulting a female and preventing her from leaving with her child," Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez said.

As officers arrived, they began making announcements, instructing those inside the home to exit. Then, the deputies were fired upon by someone in the second-floor window of the house, according to the sheriff's department. Officers returned fire at the shooter, she said.

"Minutes later, a female with visible injuries exited the residence holding a child," Brito-Gonzalez said. "She informed deputies that her husband had shot her, and then shot himself."

The woman was taken to a local hospital in critical but stable condition. Her child was also taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation. Authorities have withheld their names due to the domestic violence incident.

SWAT personnel soon after entered the property and discovered the suspect dead, she said. "Deputies confirmed the suspect was deceased," she said. "No deputies were injured during this incident. The names of the deputies involved in the shooting will also not be released."

Possible reasons for his alleged actions were not disclosed.

As is protocol in an officer-involved shooting, the involved deputies will be placed on paid administrative leave, she said.

Investigators from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office assigned to the Riverside Sheriff’s Force Investigations Detail will lead this investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Riverside County District Attorney Investigator Eric Crosson or Riverside County Sheriff’s Master Investigator Martin Alfaro at 951–955–2777.

The investigation is ongoing, and no additional details will be released at this time.