Deputies kill man during mental health check

A man reported to be enduring a mental health episode was fatally shot by deputies in Moreno Valley on Monday, authorities said.

Deputies were called about 1 p.m. to a home in the 25000 block of Filaree Avenue in response to a man who suffered from schizophrenia and was becoming aggressive with his mother, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said.

One nearby resident, Isabel Rodriguez, told OC Hawk reporters that the man was having an episode when deputies were called to check on him.

The man, identified as 33-year-old son Jesus Antonio Rodriguez, was also under the influence of an unknown substance, authorities said.

Rodriguez ran to his bedroom when deputies arrived and started yelling at them from the doorway.

A sheriff’s statement said he continued being aggressive and uncooperative and grabbed a baseball bat that authorities say had sharp metal spikes on the end.

Rodriguez was shot by deputies when he continued advancing towards them after two failed Taser attempts, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave. Their names were not released on Monday.

A separate investigation into the shooting will be handled by Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Force Investigation Detail.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Riverside County District Attorney Investigator Eric Crosson or Riverside County Sheriff’s Investigator Nelson Gomez at 951955-2777.