Riverside County deputies shoot person during mental health call

August 9, 2026 - 05:29

A person was shot by sheriff's deputies in Moreno Valley on Tuesday afternoon after authorities say they aimed a weapon at responding officers. The incident unfolded during what the Riverside County Sheriff's Office described as a mental health call, though few other details have been released.

The shooting happened in the 13000 block of Old Bridge Road, near a residential area. Deputies arrived at the scene following a report of a person in crisis. According to a brief statement from the sheriff's office, the individual produced a firearm and pointed it at the deputies, prompting them to open fire.

The person, whose name, age, and gender have not been made public, was struck by gunfire and taken to a local hospital. Their current condition is unknown. No deputies were injured in the exchange.

The sheriff's office has not said what led to the initial call or whether the person had a history of mental health issues. The investigation is being handled by the Riverside County Sheriff's Office's Force Investigation Unit, which is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings in the county.

The deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the review. The district attorney's office will also conduct an independent review of the shooting, as is routine in such cases.

This marks the latest in a string of officer-involved shootings in Riverside County this year, many of which have involved individuals experiencing mental health crises. Community advocates have repeatedly called for more crisis intervention training and alternative response teams, but the sheriff's office has defended its tactics, saying deputies are often forced to make split-second decisions when faced with an armed subject.

No further information has been released at this time. The investigation remains ongoing.