The individual who was fatally shot by law enforcement officers on a Fontana golf course has been identified as an off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, according to reports on Wednesday.
The sequence of events unfolded around 4 p.m. within the vicinity of the Sierra Lakes Golf Club, following a 911 call notifying authorities of a disturbance involving a man at a nearby home.
The man, reportedly in a distressed state and under the influence of alcohol, purportedly fired shots into a wall of the residence. Subsequently, a witness indicated that the man exited the house and proceeded to the golf course while carrying two firearms.
Eyewitnesses recounted that once on the golf course, the man discharged multiple rounds.
“Just started shooting. Shooting up everything. Scaring the golfers, shooting at the police … It seems that mental health is real. He lost his edge and just started shooting up the neighborhood,” neighbor Myesha Dowe told KTLA.
Investigators have not verified whether the individual fired any shots while on the course or whether he aimed any shots towards law enforcement personnel.
Law enforcement confronted the individual, ultimately identified by a police sergeant on-site as an off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy. During the encounter, the deputy was shot by the police officers.
The wounded deputy was transported to a nearby medical facility, where he was subsequently declared deceased.
The deputy has been identified as Alejandro Diaz, aged 45.
The Sheriff’s Department released this statement: “The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is deeply saddened to hear of the tragic shooting incident involving our off-duty deputy who passed away yesterday. We are in close communication with Fontana Police Department and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department as they conduct their ongoing investigation. This incident is extremely difficult for the family, our personnel, and the officers involved.”
