Mental health call turns into deputy shooting in Moreno Valley; man left in critical condition

August 8, 2026 - 23:29

A response to a mental health crisis in a Moreno Valley neighborhood took a violent turn on Tuesday afternoon, leaving a man hospitalized in critical condition after being shot by a sheriff's deputy. The incident unfolded just before 3 p.m. in a residential area near the intersection of Perris Boulevard and Dracaea Avenue, according to authorities.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department stated that deputies were dispatched to the scene following a report of a man experiencing a mental health episode. When they arrived, they encountered the individual, and the situation quickly escalated. Officials say that at some point during the interaction, a deputy fired their weapon, striking the man. He was transported to a nearby trauma center with serious injuries, where he remains in critical but stable condition.

No deputies were hurt in the exchange. The deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in such cases. The Sheriff's Department's Force Investigation Team is leading the probe into what led to the shooting. Body-worn camera footage from the deputies on scene is expected to be reviewed as part of the investigation. The identity of the man has not been released, and it remains unclear what specific actions prompted the deputy to open fire. The case has also been referred to the District Attorney's office for independent review.