A San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy shot a suspect Tuesday night who was allegedly reaching for a handgun in his waistband during a traffic stop in Fontana, west of Loma Linda and Redlands.
The Fontana Station deputy stopped a driver in a vehicle about 11:25 p.m. June 18 for failing to stop at a stop sign at Beech Avenue and Athol Street, according to a Sheriff's Department statement. The intersection is about four blocks east of Auto Club Speedway on Cherry Avenue.
The deputy spoke to and identified the driver as Chad Bryan Johnson, 25, of Fontana, sheriff's officials said. Johnson is allegedly on active parole with parole search terms.
"While conducting a search of Johnson's person the deputy located a handgun in the front of Johnson's waistband," sheriff's officials said. "Johnson resisted as the deputy attempted to handcuff him reaching toward his waistband where the handgun was located. Fearing Johnson was attempting to retrieve the weapon, the deputy fired his duty weapon one time striking Johnson."
Johnson was taken to a local hospital, where he was recovering and he is expected to survive, according to the Sheriff's Department. The deputy, who was not identified, was not injured during the incident.
The Sheriff's Department statement was distributed about 12 hours after the incident occurred, according to the department's account.
Sheriff's homicide detectives were investigating. Anyone with more information was urged to call Detective Rob Trostle or Sgt. Rick Bessinger of the Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail at (909) 387-3589. Anonymous tipsters can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave info at www.wetip.com.
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