Man dies during gun battle with Riverside County sheriff’s SWAT team in Colton during search warrant

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 3:23 a.m., the Riverside County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau responded to a residence in the 900 block of North Vista Way in Colton to serve a search warrant for a suspect wanted in a series of armed robberies.

Deputies arrived on the scene and made announcements instructing the occupants of the residence to exit. After several announcements, a female exited the residence and was detained without incident. A male remained inside the residence and started shooting at deputies from inside, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.

When gunfire ceased, deputies cleared the residence and located the suspect. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. A firearm was located near the suspect. No injuries were sustained by the female or deputies during this incident. This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional details are available at this time.

The involved deputy will be placed on paid administrative leave according to Department policy. The name of the involved deputy will not be released at this time. The suspect’s identity will also be withheld pending next of kin notification.