Beaumont, California – On Thursday, December 30, 2021, about 9:57 P.M., deputies from the Perris Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of a domestic violence dispute in the 17000 block of Ridge Canyon Drive in the unincorporated area of Perris, known as Woodcrest. Upon arrival, the male suspect was not located and deputies learned the suspect had a felony warrant for a violation of an assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, kidnapping, vandalism, and a domestic violence restraining order violation. A search of the area was conducted and the suspect had fled the scene before deputies could locate him. A continued search for the suspect occurred and information was developed that the suspect was in the area of the Interstate 10 freeway and Beaumont Avenue in the city of Beaumont.
At 1:07 A.M., a Riverside Sheriff’s Department helicopter located the suspect vehicle in the 400 block of E 4th Street in Beaumont and additional deputies and officers were requested to assist in the arrest of the suspect. Several officers arrived on scene and located the suspect inside his vehicle, at which time the suspect attempted to flee the area by ramming a vehicle occupied by a private citizen and multiple police cars. An officer and deputy involved shooting occurred at that time. While the ramming occurred, an officer became trapped underneath a vehicle and couldn’t escape.
An officer needs help call was broadcasted to multiple law enforcement agencies. Surrounding agencies, along with our Special Enforcement Bureau, arrived on scene with an armored rescue vehicle, which was used to safely extract the injured officer. The officer was transported to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Numerous attempts were made to have the suspect exit the vehicle, and after no movement, deputies safely approached the vehicle and found the suspect deceased on scene. The suspect was identified as 44 year old Dennis McHugh from Glendora California.
No other deputies or officers were injured during this incident.
An investigator from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office will lead this investigation, aided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Force Investigations Detail. This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Riverside County District Attorney Investigator Felipe Munoz at 951-922-7624 or Riverside County Sheriff’s Investigator Dan Moody at 951-955-2777.
Riverside Sheriff
