Riverside Police Retire Domestic Violence Suspect

RIVERSIDE, CA - On Thursday, April 4, 2024, just before 5:30 a.m., Riverside Police Officers responded to a domestic violence 9-1-1 call for service in the 3400 block of Chestnut Street, located in downtown Riverside. A female adult victim had been battered and struck with a claw hammer by 59-year-old Shawn Palacat.

While speaking to the victim, Mr. Palacat appeared from his apartment and approached the two officers with a large kitchen knife. One of the officers gave commands to Mr. Palacat to drop the knife but he did not comply. The officer then drew and deployed his taser at Mr. Palacat. Mr. Palacat swatted the taser probes and wires then advanced toward the officer and raised the knife up to attack him. The second officer then fired his duty handgun at Mr. Palacat, striking him.

Officers summoned medical aid and began an assessment of Mr. Palacat's injuries. Paramedics arrived and performed life-saving measures until he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The weapon Mr. Palacat confronted officers with was a large kitchen knife, approximately 12 inches in total length with a black handle.

In Riverside County, all officer-involved shootings are handled by an outside agency, in which this one is being led by the Riverside County Sheriff's Force Investigations Detail.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation should contact Riverside County Sheriff's Investigator Rick Ramirez at (951) 955-2777 or [email protected], or Riverside Police Detective Stanley Hua at (951) 353-7135