Family of double homicide suspect shot by deputies speak out
A double homicide suspect was shot by a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department deputy following a pursuit early this morning in Morongo Valley.
The suspect, Roger Tindell, 36, of Morongo Valley is expected to recover from his injuries, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department news release. As of 10 p.m. today, Tindell remains in the hospital. A Sheriff’s Department spokesperson said it is unknown how long he will remain hospitalized but he will be booked as soon as he recovers.
Tindell is wanted by an FBI Task Force as a suspect for a double homicide in Henderson, Nevada. According to our sister station in Nevada, the murders happened on Oct. 12.
It is noted in the news release that deputies originally responded to a report of a shooting on the 7400 block of Elk Trail in Yucca Valley at around 2:14 a.m. Byron Mitchell told KESQ & CBS Local 2 his brother-in-law was shot and had his car stolen.
“My brother in law was shot…his car was stolen…it was a 2016 BMW,” Mitchell said.
Tindell allegedly fled from that area in that BMW. Police spotted the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Deputies said Tindell failed to yield, leading police on a pursuit through Yucca Valley and Morongo. Tindell allegedly opened fire on pursuing deputies, and deputies shot back.
The chase ended in a ditch near a Morongo Valley neighborhood where Tindell’s cousin, grandmother, and aunt live. Police say the chase ended when Tindell crashed into a patrol car and allegedly opened fire once again on police before struck by gunfire from one of the deputies.
“Kind of strange…he said he’s been feeling a little different lately. But I ain’t seen nothing like this,” said Wade Goodemote, Tindell’s cousin.
“He was always just really happy and then he got here. And this area is just bad,” Alice Tindell, Tindell’s grandmother.
Tindell’s grandmother says Tindell has a history of drug abuse.
“There’s nothing that anybody can do. I mean it’s his choice that’s the trouble with drugs they just wreck their minds and they don’t realize how far off they are.”
Neighbors told KESQ & CBS Local 2 that while this isn’t the first they’ve heard gunshots in the neighborhood, they originally thought the shots were just fireworks.
“Being asleep I thought it was people playing with fireworks,” said Craig Howard, who lives nearby. “All I saw from far away was clear gunsmoke gunfire…when I stopped streaming I heard law enforcement say ‘put your hands up put your hands up.'”
No deputies were injured during the incident. A 43-year-old unidentified victim was hospitalized and his status is unknown at this time. An unidentified 24-year-old female victim was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. She has been treated and released.
Stay with KESQ & CBS Local 2 for any updates.
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Noticias en español: Telemundo 15
