A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a man who allegedly advanced on the deputy while clutching rocks in each hand during a confrontation along a set of train tracks in Redlands on Monday, officials said.
The encounter took place just before 7:30 a.m. on a rail line between Nevada and California streets, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
A deputy was called to a report of a trespasser on the tracks when he encountered Jefte Vargas Ramirez, 37, of Redlands, the agency said in a written statement.
Vargas Ramirez became “confrontational” when the deputy told him to leave the train tracks for safety reasons, officials said.
“Vargas Ramirez armed himself with rocks in both hands, approached the deputy in an aggressive manner, and a lethal force encounter occurred,” according to the statement.
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The wounded suspect was taken to a hospital, where he died a short time later.
The deputy was not hurt.
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The sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division detectives were handling the investigation into the shooting.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Special Investigations Division at (909) 890-4904. Information may also be provided anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463.
