Suicidal man shot by officers after charging with knife, dies at the scene

PERRIS - (PRESS RELEASE) - On December 29, 2011, at about 6:50 AM, officers from the Perris Police Department responded to a call for help from the parents of a suicidal man at the 350 block of East San Jacinto Avenue, in Perris.

When officers arrived, they spoke to the family of a 23-year-old male who had attempted suicide by cutting himself with a large knife. They told the officers their son was still armed with the knife, was very agitated and acting erratically.

Once inside the residence, the officers attempted to talk to the male, but he was uncooperative and refused to follow their orders. The male charged the officers with the knife and they fired their service weapons at the male, injuring him. The officers immediately provided medical assistance to the male and called for Cal-Fire and American Medical Response paramedics to provide medical treatment. The male was declared deceased at the scene by the responding medical personnel.

Investigators from the Perris Police Department and the Sheriff's Department Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation. The name of the decedent is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

During the incident, one of the officers suffered non life-threatening injuries, and all involved officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, per department policy.

The investigation is continuing and there is no additional information available for release at this time. Anyone who may have information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Investigator Button at the Central Homicide Unit at 760.393.3500 or Investigator Gilbert at the Perris Police Department at 951.210.1000.