San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy hurt, suspect dead after shootout

A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy was airlifted to a trauma center following a deadly shootout on Friday.

The incident happened at an ARCO gas station near Amethyst and Bear Valley Roads around 1:43 p.m., according to SBSD.

Deputies received calls that a man armed with a gun was threatening a woman. She locked herself in the bathroom as a store clerk called the authorities. A sheriff’s sergeant was the first to arrive at the scene. 

The suspect, Jorge Cardenas, 27, from Ontario, immediately began firing at the deputy, striking him multiple times, officials said. He was later identified as the woman’s boyfriend.

The deputy returned gunfire during the shootout, eventually killing Cardenas. The deputy, who has not been identified, was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center with gunshot wounds.

At a Friday press conference, officials confirmed the deputy was shot twice in the leg area — once on his thigh and once on his shin. The injuries are not life-threatening and the deputy is expected to fully recover.

Authorities said it’s unclear what the suspect was initially doing at the gas station. The suspect’s handgun was recovered at the scene.

Witnesses near the shootout recall the deadly incident unfolding.

“I heard gunshots while sitting in the beauty salon across the street and I at least heard five [gunshots,]” said a witness, who did not wish to be identified. “There’s a lot of stuff going on out here in Victorville, but it’s surprising that people are shooting at cops and cops are shooting at people.”

Some residents said violent crimes in the area seem to be happening quite frequently.

“On this street, there’s always something going on,” said Damon Richid, a Victorville resident. “About once a week, there’s something happening right here. Just a lot of activity.”

The deadly confrontation shattered the front glass doors of the ampm convenience store. Investigators are speaking to witnesses and reviewing footage from the injured deputy’s body camera along with surveillance video.

Video from the scene and a press conference held by SBSD can be seen in the video player above.