Riverside Police Officer Killed After Pursuing Hit-And-Run Suspect

A Riverside police officer was shot to death following a traffic stop and a foot pursuit of a hit-and-run driver, and the suspect remained at large today.

Officer Ryan Bonaminio, who had been with Riverside police for four years, was shot about 9:45 p.m. Sunday at Fairmount Park alongside the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway and Market Street, police Sgt. Dan Russell said.

Bonanminio died at a Riverside Community Hospital, Russell said. His age was not released.

The officer tried to pull over a big rig that he believed to be involved in a hit-and-run crash on Highway 60, the sergeant said. The big rig eventually pulled over in front of Fairmount Park, but the truck’s driver ran into the park, he said.

Bonanminio ran after him, according to Russell.

The officer was found by backup officers lying on the ground with a gunshot wound, according to the sergeant.

The suspect’s description is only a male in dark clothing, according to police. Extra officers have been called in to aid in the search, police said.

Police sealed off Market Street from Highway 60 south to the park and north of the highway to Agua Mansa Road.

Bonanminio was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to to call police Detective Ron Sanfilippo at (951) 353-7105, or Detective Gary Rowe, (951) 353- 7130.