February 24, 2025 - San Bernardino County Sheriff Department officials report on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at approximately 4:06 p.m., a deputy with the Sheriff’s Victor Valley station located a male subject matching the description of a suspect in a recent burglary.

The deputy contacted the male, who initially provided false identification information. When the deputy attempted to detain the male, he fled on foot, subsequently resisted the deputy, and attempted to assault the deputy with a knife.

During the resistance, the male attempted to disarm the deputy, and a lethal force encounter occurred. The male, later identified as Joshua Sonny Ramirez, was hit by gunfire, and deputies rendered him aid at the scene. Ramirez was transported to a nearby hospital, where he remains in stable condition. The deputy suffered minor injuries from the assault.

Detectives with the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division responded and assumed the investigation. Ramirez will be booked for Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer upon release from the hospital.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Vanayes Quezada, Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.

Refer: Detective Vanayes Quezada or Sergeant Justin Giles

Station: Specialized Investigations Division

Phone No. (909) 890-4904

Case No. DR#602500017 / H#2025-014

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department

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DATE: February 22, 2025 / 4:06 p.m. 

INCIDENT: Lethal Force Encounter
                   Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer

LOCATION: Highway 18 / Soledad Drive, Unincorporated Apple Valley

SUSPECT(S): Joshua Sonny Ramirez, 31-year-old Hispanic Male, Resident of San Diego

VICTIM(S): San Bernardino County Deputy Sheriff
Source: San Bernardino County Sheriff Department