One person dead after deputy-involved shooting at Palm Desert gun shop

One person has died following an officer-involved shooting at C.V. Guns & Tackle in Palm Desert. Reports of a robbery came in at around 10:30 Monday night at the gun shop off Broadway and Cook Street, according to a Riverside County Sheriff's Department spokesperson.

Deputies arrived on scene after alarms were set off at the business. The Sheriff's Department said upon arrival, deputies found a vehicle that had smashed into the business's front entrance. News Channel 3 crews were at the scene, and reported seeing a white Chevy sedan.

"Once deputies arrived on scene, they set up a perimeter. Shortly thereafter a suspect exited the business and a suspect was armed. A deputy involved shooting occurred. At this time the suspect is deceased on scene and an investigation is still ongoing," Riverside County Sheriff's Department Public Information Officer, Sgt. Deanna Pecoraro said.

On Monday night Cook Street was closed in both directions between Aztec Road and Hovley Lane East. for a few hours overnight.

As of 6:15 a.m., the Riverside County Sheriff's Department was still on scene investigating. The suspect's body was still located on the ground outside the gun shop. Investigators remained on scene overnight, and until Tuesday afternoon when the vehicle was towed away.

"I have some friends that live in the immediate area that said there was a helicopter circling around for most of the night," Prime Net Lease Investment Sales Vice President, Michael Matusik said.

Matusik's office is just across from the gun shop. He said he did not know of the crime until a friend notified him.

"My friend that actually works across the street said, 'Hey, something happened by your office, you should go check it out.' So I came to work around 7 and it was all taped off and the sheriff didn’t even let us in," Matusik said.

Powerstone Property Management sits in the same shopping center. Employees there were surprised to find out what happened so close to work.

"It’s scary because nothing ever really happens in Palm Desert. It’s pretty safe and we don’t deal with any kind of issues like this here so it was a shock considering it was right next door to us," Powerstone Property Community Manager, Monica Alvarado said.

Businesses describe the shopping center as quiet and safe.

The owner of the gun shop was at his store Tuesday. After the crime scene was cleared, he and several others dismantled the front gate entrance and boarded the building up.

The coroner's office did not immediately release the suspect's identity.

Deputies involved in the shooting will be place on administrative leave in accordance with department policy, and pending the investigation.