OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING INVESTIGATION
Published: 02/22/2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2021
CONTACT:
Officer Ryan J. Railsback
Public Information Officer
Community Services Bureau
(951) 373-6032 (Media Contact)
OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING INVESTIGATION
Riverside, CA – On Sunday, February 21, 2021 at approximately 6:00 p.m., two Riverside Police Officers were patrolling the Eastside neighborhood of Riverside when they attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black GMC Denali on Sedgewick Avenue near Martin Luther King Boulevard. The driver of the Denali failed to yield and led the officers on a brief pursuit, driving on the wrong side of road as it travelled east on Martin Luther King Boulevard. As the Denali came to the intersection at Kansas Avenue, it collided into a black Ford Explorer. When the officers caught up to the collision and stopped behind the suspect vehicle, the driver reversed the Denali and rammed their police vehicle. An officer involved shooting then occurred.
Officers safely removed the driver of the Explorer. She was a 60-year-old woman who sustained a broken clavicle and ribs, then was taken to a local hospital in stable condition. The suspect driver was then safely removed and taken into custody. He was grazed by gunfire and also transported to a local hospital with minor non-life threatening wounds.
The suspect driver was identified as Leopold Acuna Leon Jr., a 27-year-old Riverside resident who is currently on parole for assault with a deadly weapon. During a subsequent search of the Denali Mr. Leon Jr. was driving, two loaded firearms were located.
Investigators with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. They are being assisted by detectives with the Riverside Police Department’s Robbery – Homicide Unit, along with Specialists from the Forensics Unit.
Mr. Leon Jr. was medically cleared from the hospital then later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer, felon in possession of firearms, evading police causing injuries, hit and run causing injuries, and violation of parole.
This officer involved shooting investigation is still ongoing and there are no further details to release at this time. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Senior District Attorney Investigator Nick Franco at (951) 955-5506 or [email protected], or Detective Dan Mercadefe at (951) 353-7103 or [email protected]. Those wishing to remain anonymous can email [email protected] or utilize the Riverside Police Department’s mobile app “Submit a Tip” feature while referencing report number 210005347.
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