Deputies shoot and kill man allegedly armed with axe

A deputy shot and killed a man armed with an axe early Sunday morning in Mecca, said Deputy Robyn Flores with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Flores said that just before 3:30 a.m., deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to the area of Lincoln Street and 66th Avenue. Deputies were responding to help officers with the California Highway Patrol and crews from CAL FIRE/Riverside County that were already at the scene dealing with a non-compliant person armed with an axe,” she said. Shortly afterward, a deputy-involved shooting occurred.

The suspect was hit by gunfire and was transported to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Flores said there were no other outstanding suspects, no threat to the community and no injuries sustained by law enforcement personnel.

The suspect’s name will not be released at this time, pending the ongoing investigation. The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, per department policy. The deputy’s name will not be released.

Investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff Department’s Central Homicide Unit are heading the investigation. No other details were made available.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Investigator Navarrete at 951-955-2777, or Thermal Sheriff’s Station Investigator Tijerina 760-863-8990.