Update: The suspect has been identified as Daniel Alfonso Perez-Comunidad, a 19 year old resident of Indio.

February 9, 2022 - The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reports on Friday, January 28, 2022, about 6:35 P.M., deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station conducted a traffic enforcement stop of a vehicle in the area of Cesar Chavez Street and Avenue 52 in the city of Coachella. A male passenger in the vehicle fled from deputies and a deputy gave chase. After a foot pursuit into a residential neighborhood, a physical altercation occurred between the deputy and the suspect in the 85000 block of Cairo Street. During the altercation, the suspect shot the deputy causing injury. Although the deputy was injured, the deputy was able to return fire. The suspect was struck by gunfire and pronounced deceased on scene. The identity of the suspect will not be released at this time, pending next of kin notification.

The deputy was transported to a local hospital and is receiving medical treatment for multiple gunshot wounds. One of the suspect’s rounds struck the deputy in the chest and the ballistic vest absorbed the impact of that projectile and prevented the deputy from sustaining any major injury. The deputy is expected to be released from the hospital and his injuries are considered non-life threatening. The involved deputy will be placed on paid leave according to Department policy and the name of the involved deputy will not be released at this time.

The driver of the involved vehicle was detained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. There are no outstanding suspects. The gun used by the suspect was recovered at the scene.

An investigator from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office will lead this investigation, aided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Force Investigations Detail. This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Riverside County District Attorney Investigator Mario Moreno at 951-955-9470 or Riverside County Sheriff’s Investigator Dan Moody at 760-393-3525.
Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Department