County Deputy in Fatal Shooting
Attorney General Offers Policy Updates for De-escalation
RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The fatal shooting of a 49-year-old man during a confrontation with Riverside County sheriff‘s deputies outside a Moreno Valley store, where he made motions as if armed with a pistol, was justified, state prosecutors confirmed Friday.
Jay Jackson of Moreno Valley was killed in 2022 when a patrol deputy fired a shotgun at the suspect as he approached sheriff’s vehicles, pretending as though he was armed with a handgun.
In a report issued by the California Department of Justice Friday, prosecutors could find no grounds to fault the deputy who fired the fatal blast.
“This was a tragic situation with a tragic outcome,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said. “I sincerely hope this report provides valuable insights and information to the community.”
Jackson’s death received extensive attention because cell phone videos taken by witnesses were broadcast via news stations, and responding deputies’ body camera recordings were also publicly released.
According to the report, just after 11 a.m. on July 22, 2022, the distressed man went into an O’Reilly Auto Parts outlet in the 15100 block of Perris Boulevard and announced that he was armed and wanted to kill someone.
Employees lowered security screens behind their counters and locked themselves inside, calling 911 while customers fled.
Jackson then stepped outside and began pacing in front of the store, the report said.
“Law enforcement surrounded Jackson using patrol vehicles for cover and attempted to de-escalate the situation,” according to the narrative. “They issued numerous commands for him to show his hands and assured him they did not want to hurt him, offering access to mental health and medical services. Jackson refused to comply.”
He allegedly said he had a firearm and shouted “I’m not going to listen” and “just kill me,” the report stated.
After several tense moments, Jackson advanced toward a deputy and pulled a metallic object from one of his front pockets, prompting the lawman to open fire with his shotgun, striking the man in the chest, prosecutors said.
Jackson was taken to nearby Riverside University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The Justice Department initiated an investigation based on Assembly Bill 1506, which requires the state to investigate all law enforcement fatal shootings when the parties killed were confirmed to have been unarmed. The metallic object in Jackson’s possession was a razor handle with no blade attached.
Prosecutors’ investigation spanned months and concluded “there is insufficient evidence to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the deputy involved acted without the intent to defend (himself) and others from what he reasonably believed to be the imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury.”
The report, however, issued several findings that prosecutors hoped the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department would incorporate into policy, among which were: more training for deputies on how to de-escalate a standoff; enhanced measures to ensure “unified communication,” including designating a single deputy to handle interacting with a suspect; review of the department’s shotgun ammunition policy to decide whether certain loads are really necessary; mandate consistent audio activation of deputies’ body-worn cameras; and installation of digital in-vehicle video systems on all sheriff’s units “to provide a wider, less obstructed view.”
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