Yucca Valley Hostage Situation Leads to Death of Suspect & Injury to Victim

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. – A Yucca Valley man is dead and a woman is injured following a hostage situation that led to an officer-involved shooting on Wednesday.

At around 12:42 p.m., a woman contacted her family and let them know that 41-year-old Eric Sandoval was armed with a handgun and making threats to harm her. The woman went on to say that Sandoval was holding her against her will. The family of the woman called 911 to report the incident. Deputies responded to Sandoval’s home on Warren Vista Avenue. Sandoval refused to come out of the home or release the female victim.

Rancho Cucamonga Teen Dies After Jumping Off Overpass Onto 210 Freeway

Man Arrested After Pulling a Gun on Noisy Loma Linda Hotel Room Neighbor

The SWAT was called to the scene along with a negotiator to work with Sandoval. The negotiator talked with Sandoval through the night until a gunshot was heard from inside the home at 3:00 a.m. SWAT deputies entered the home and found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The threat continued and SWAT deputy shot Sandoval, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The victim was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition. Specialized Investigators with the Homicide Detail responded to conduct the investigation. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division, Detective Floyd Stone at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at (800)78-CRIME or www.wetip.com.