Man fatally shot while firefighters battle house blaze

By Richard Brooks and Brian Rokos
The Press Enterprise

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS, Calif. — Deputies fatally shot a 56-year-old man while assisting firefighters in the San Bernardino Mountains during a blaze at a house they were told contained weapons and possibly explosives, sheriff's officials say.

The incident happened about 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 12, in the 22900 block of Redwood Way in the Crestline-area community of Valley of Enchantment.

The confrontation occurred soon after the man left the house and approached the deputies, sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said in a written statement.

"They ordered the man to stop and show his hands," according to the statement. "The male subject refused to comply and continued toward them while reaching into his waistband. Deputies fired."

The man died at the scene. His name has not been released.

He is believed to have lived at the house, which also is the home of a woman and two adult children, a man and woman. Bachman said she didn't know who had summoned the Fire Department and told of the weapons and possible explosives inside.

At 5 p.m., arson and bomb investigators obtained a search warrant. No information was available on whether they found any weapons or explosives.

Anyone with information about the incident may call Detective Eddie Bachman or Sgt. John Gaffney at 909-387-3589.

Copyright 2012 The Press Enterprise, Inc.

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