Owner of Joshua Tree Coffee Company ID’d as man killed in deputy-involved shooting

The founder of the Joshua Tree Coffee Company was killed in a deputy-involved shooting Monday morning in Indian Wells.

The shooting happened inside the gates of the Desert Horizons Country Club, located near Rancho Palmeras Drive and Highway 111.

Full Details: Man killed in deputy-involved shooting at Indian Wells country club

Royce Robertson, 33, of Joshua Tree was identified as the man killed in the shooting. Robertson is the owner of the Joshua Tree Coffee Company, a company experience nationwide growth.

"It doesn't feel real," said Demetria Robertson, Royce's sister. "He was a good person, they should all feel bad about this. They didn't kill a bad they killed a good guy."

Riverside County Sheriff Bianco said the incident started at the intersection of Simon Drive and Highway 111 in La Quinta, when Robertson got involved in a heated argument with another driver, threatening to kill the driver.

"Two drivers of vehicles engaged in some kind of argument. One of the drivers exited his vehicle and approached the second driver with a handgun pointed it at the driver and asked him if he wanted to die. The brief exchange of words between the two, the suspect then got back in his vehicle and drove away," Bianco told News Channel 3 at the scene.

Bianco said the victim then called 911 and deputies were able to locate Robertson's black Mercedes and followed him to the Desert Horizons Country Club.

Authorities said Robertson told security that police were following him and he was able to get inside the country club. Deputies followed Robertson before he made a u-turn upon entering the gate, got out of his car, and took out his gun, according to Bianco.

Two deputies then shot Robertson, who was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 7:40 a.m.

It's unclear why Robertson was in Indian Wells, but his family wants answers on what happened.

"We want the body cam footage, we want proof of what happened and we want them to be honest with us if they are honest with us, I just feel like that's what they owe," Demetria said.

Bianco confirmed that the deputies involved were wearing their body cams. News Channel 3 has requested a copy of that video.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates/