The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced on May 12 that a strong-arm robbery investigation in Lucerne Valley led to a deputy involved shooting resulting in the death of Nicolas Keith, age 34.
According to the department, deputies from the Victor Valley Station responded to a reported robbery on the 32000 block of Morse Lane. When deputies attempted to detain Keith after he arrived at the location in a vehicle, he reversed and accelerated, striking a deputy. Two deputies then discharged their firearms. Keith was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Investigators from the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail responded to conduct an initial inquiry. The California Department of Justice will assume responsibility for further investigation into the incident. One deputy who was struck by Keith’s vehicle received medical attention and was released at the scene.
Shannon D. Dicus holds the position of sheriff-coroner for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, according to the official website. The department serves more than 2.1 million residents and operates 15 patrol stations as well as facilities such as a dispatch center handling numerous service calls and maintains a historical society museum to preserve its heritage, according to information available from its official website.
The department said it focuses on providing collaborative law enforcement services through professional means in order to address community requirements, according to its official website. Authorities stated that this remains an active investigation and directed any additional inquiries regarding this case to be made with the California Department of Justice Press Office.
