Apple Valley Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting Determined to be Justified

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APPLE VALLEY – After an extensive investigation,the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office officials have determined that an officer-involved shooting killing retired CHP officer, Francis Rose III was legally justified.

Just after 6:20 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2015, police were dispatched the 9000 block of Buena Vista Street in response to numerous reports of shots fired. The reports indicated that there were anywhere from eight to thirty gunshots fired from the area. A neighbor, who was one of the reporting parties indicated that Rose was a retired CHP officer who had been “5150 in the past”.

Deputies first made contact with a neighbor who reported the incident and were directed to the home belonging to Rose. Rose was witnessed by the deputy walking around but the deputy was unable to immediately determine if Rose was armed with a weapon. Soon after, Rose fired three shots in the direction of the deputies. Deputies requested backup and took cover to the southwest of the property.

Additional ground units and 40 King arrived at the location just after 7:00 p.m. The Sheriff’s helicopter was able to hover over Rose to advise ground units of his actions and property terrain. The deputies aboard the Sheriff’s helicopter then witnessed Rose firing six to eight shots in the direction of the deputies. Deputies attempted to move closer to the property, causing Rose to fire several more shots.

Shortly after, deputies were alerted that Rose was not armed, so they ordered Rose to show his hands. Rose ran back into his home and deputies moved back into their position of cover authorities said. Rose again shot toward the deputies, who returned fire, killing Rose. Rose was pronounced dead by Fire personnel just after 7:50 p.m.

Rose, 43 of Apple Valley was part of the California Highway Patrol until he retired early in 2013, after being attacked during an I-40 traffic stop. The attack caused lingering back problems, post-traumatic stress disorder and severe depression friends said. Due to his severe depression and alleged attempts to take his own life, Rose temporarily lost his gun registration but just before the deadly shooting, he was able to get them back.

As part of Sheriff’s Department protocol in officer-involved shootings, an autopsy was performed by the Riverside County Coroner’s Office on February 5, 2015. The cause of death was listed as “Multiple Gunshot Wounds”. Five gunshot wounds were located on Rose’s body, one to the lower left cheek area with fragmented projectile found in his brain, The second was in his lower right back with an exit wound to his lower abdomen, the third to his right palm, the fourth to his left hand and the fifth to his left pinky finger.

The autopsy test also revealed that Rose had alcohol as well as several drugs in his system including medications typically used to treat depression, Bipolar Disorder, panic disorder, a prescription as well as a non-prescription pain reliever, and findings consistent with the use of cannabinoid.

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