East SBV Times

In a recent incident that unfolded on March 23, 2024, in Hesperia, the pursuit of a domestic violence suspect ended in a lethal force encounter, resulting in the suspect's death. The suspect, identified as Keith Vinyard, a 52-year-old resident of Hesperia, was involved in a confrontation with law enforcement officers.

The sequence of events began when a deputy from the Hesperia Police Department attempted to pull over Vinyard's vehicle. Vinyard, who had an active felony domestic violence warrant, refused to stop, initiating a high-speed chase. The situation escalated when Vinyard defied commands and made threats against the deputy.

As the confrontation intensified, Vinyard armed himself with a large metal object, prompting a lethal force encounter with the deputies on the scene. Despite receiving medical assistance from the deputies and emergency personnel, Vinyard succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Following the incident, the Sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division collaborated with the Department of Justice to investigate the circumstances surrounding the use of lethal force. The Department of Justice is leading the investigation as per Assembly Bill 1506.

For further inquiries regarding the incident, the Department of Justice can be contacted at [email protected] or (916) 210-6000. Detective Jacob Rollins or Sergeant Michael Warrick from the Specialized Investigations Division can also be reached at (909) 890-4904, referencing Case No. DR#192402073 / H#2024-025.

This unfortunate event serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty, highlighting the complexities of ensuring public safety while dealing with volatile situations.