East SBV Times

On February 22, 2025, a confrontation between a deputy and a suspect led to the use of lethal force in unincorporated Apple Valley. The incident occurred around 4:06 p.m. when a deputy from the Sheriff's Victor Valley station approached a man matching the description of a recent burglary suspect.

The man, identified as Joshua Sonny Ramirez, initially provided false identification to the deputy. When the deputy attempted to detain him, Ramirez fled on foot. During the pursuit, Ramirez resisted arrest and tried to assault the deputy with a knife. He also attempted to disarm the officer, resulting in gunfire from the deputy.

Ramirez was struck by gunfire and received medical aid at the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital. He remains in stable condition. The deputy sustained minor injuries during the altercation.

The investigation has been taken over by detectives from the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division. Upon his release from the hospital, Ramirez will face charges for Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer.

Individuals with information regarding this case are encouraged to contact Detective Vanayes Quezada at (909) 890-4904 or reach out anonymously via We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.