Boy officials say armed with garden tool fatally shot

A 15-year-old boy armed with a bladed garden tool was fatally shot by a deputy or deputies who were called to a family disturbance in Apple Valley on Saturday, authorities said.

Just before 5 p.m., the teen was suspected of assaulting family members and damaging property at a residence in the 13400 block of Iroquois Road, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department statement. The suspect, Ryan Gainer, who authorities say was armed with a five-footlong garden tool, was confronted by the first arriving deputy and raised the sharp end of the tool before running towards the deputy.

“The deputy retreated and Gainer chased the deputy in an attempt to assault him with the bladed end of the tool,” the statement said.

At least one deputy then shot Gainer, authorities said.

Gainer was taken to a hospital where he later died.

Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in a Sunday statement that “our social safety net for those experiencing mental illness needs to be strengthened.”

“Most of these calls do not end in violence. However, this one ended in tragedy for Ryan, his family, and for the deputies who responded. Rapidly evolving, violent encounters are some of the most difficult, requiring split-second decisions,” Dicus said. “While these decisions are lawful, they are awful in terms of our humanity. I feel for both Ryan’s family and my deputies who will struggle with this for their entire lives.”

Anyone with information on the deputy shooting can contact Detective Shawn Thurman or Sgt. Justin Giles at the Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904. Anonymous tips can be made by contacting We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www. wetip.com