A man was shot by authorities in Rialto on Monday, Dec. 5, after attempting to enter the city police station armed with what is believed to be an assault rifle. (Photo by OnScene TV)
A man was shot by authorities in Rialto on Monday, Dec. 5, after attempting to enter a secure area of the city police station armed with what is believed to be an assault rifle.
A message from Chief Mark Kling regarding an incident that occurred at our police department on December 5, 2022 at approximately 4:27 p.m. pic.twitter.com/saJtnurWhM
— Rialto Police Department (@RialtoPolice) December 6, 2022
Around 4:30 p.m., an officer in a patrol car was entering the station’s parking lot through the south gate while a black Dodge Charger tailed closely behind him, according to Rialto Chief of Police Mark Kling. An employee came out of the station and was talking with the officer as the employee stood at the patrol vehicle’s front passenger door. The suspect exited the Charger and pointed the possible assault rifle at the officer, who was still inside his parked patrol car.
Video footage of the incident showed the officer step out of his vehicle as the suspect attempted to run back to their Charger before turning around and again aiming the rifle at the officer.
The officer, a three-year veteran, fired several rounds that struck the suspect, Kling said during a Monday night press conference.
The suspect, possibly a San Bernardino resident, was taken to a hospital and was reported to be stable, Kling said. No officers or civilian employees were injured.
It was still unclear Monday whether the rifle was authentic or a replica, and the suspect did not fire the weapon during the exchange. Aerial footage of the scene from NBC showed a weapon resembling a rifle on the ground of the parking lot.
Officials didn’t know the motive for the man’s actions and that was under investigation.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office will assist with investigating whether police protocol was followed during the shooting.
Officers are on scene of an active incident that occurred at the Rialto Police Department.
Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/KkUJpz9Laa— Rialto Police Department (@RialtoPolice) December 6, 2022
Originally published at Hunter Lee