Full Notification

DATE/TIME: September 29, 2019/9:39 pm

INCIDENT: Suspicious Person/Vehicle
Failure to Yield/Attempt Murder of a Peace Officer/Deputy-Involved Shooting

LOCATION: County area of Apple Valley
Twentynine Palms Hwy 62 between Pinon Drive and
Camino Del Cielo Trail, Yucca Valley (end of pursuit)

VICTIMS: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies

SUSPECT: Anthony Watkins, age 36 a transient of Lucerne Valley

SUMMARY:
On September 29th, at approx 9:39 p.m., deputies from the Victor Valley Station responded to the report of a suspicious person/vehicle (semi-truck) at a residence. The reporting party stated he was following the suspect, later identified as Anthony Watkins, and gave dispatch a description of the semi-truck and location. Deputies located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, Watkins failed to yield, and a pursuit began. Sheriff’s Aviation responded and were assisting with the pursuit. Deputies attempted to use spike strips at Hwy 18 and Pioneer to stop the pursuit. Watkins veered toward a deputy at the location and continued onto Hwy 247. Deputies attempted again to use spike strips at Hwy 247 and Lynn, Watkins fired a weapon at the deputies at that location. Sheriff’s Aviation remained over the pursuit witnessing Watkins shooting at deputies. The pursuit continued on Hwy 62, Watkins continued to refuse to stop and peacefully surrender. A deputy-involved shooting occurred involving Sheriff’s Aviation. The suspect made a U-turn on Hwy 62 in the area of Pinon Drive and Camino Del Cielo and was then traveling East in the westbound lanes directly in front of and toward deputies. To avoid a collision, deputies crossed over the median onto the eastbound lanes. Watkins then entered the eastbound lanes ramming a marked patrol unit, dragging the unit along the side of the semi-truck. Watkins was shooting at the deputy, and the deputy returned fire. The semi-truck left the roadway on the south side of Hwy 62 west of Camino Del Cielo Trail coming to rest on the dirt berm. A deputy-involved shooting occurred striking Watkins. Anthony Watkins was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was later transported to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.

Homicide investigators responded to the location to conduct the investigation.

One deputy received minor injuries, not from gunfire, he did not require medical attention.

Investigators searched the inside of the semi-truck and located a handgun.

The semi-truck was not found to be stolen; however, investigators are continuing to investigate whether or not it was stolen and had not yet been reported.

Hwy 62 was closed in both directions for several hours while investigators conducted the investigation. The Hwy was reopened at approximately 2:00 a.m. on October 1st.

The investigation is ongoing, anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective T. Phillips at (909) 387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to contact the We-Tip Hotline at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.

Refer: Detective T. Phillips or Sergeant S. Thies

Station: Specialized Investigation Division - Homicide Division

Phone No.: (909)-387-3589

Case No.: DR# 071903040 /091901489/601900108 / H#2019-096

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department