Police shoot woman outside Colton gas station

Police shot a woman outside of a gas station in Colton after she allegedly set a car on fire while still inside and then ran towards them while armed with a knife. 

They were dispatched to the Arco gas station, located in the 1200 block of E. Washington Street, at around 12:20 a.m. after learning of a woman who was armed in the area and trying to get into cars, according to a statement from the Colton Police Department. 

Officers arrived and found one of the people who called 911, who told them that the suspect had gotten into his car and was refusing to exit. They found the woman inside of the person's Toyota Sequioa, which was parked next to some gas pumps at the station. 

"Officers gave the suspect multiple commands to exit the vehicle. While inside the vehicle, the suspect lit the interior of the vehicle on fire," the Colton police statement said. "The suspect exited the vehicle toward officers while armed with the knife. At this point an officer-involved shooting occurred."

The suspect, who has since been identified as 46-year-old Riverside woman Leandra Michelle Guerrero, was struck by gunfire and taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. 

They say that knife was recovered at the scene and that Colton Fire Department firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames before they could spread from the car. 

Both the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office and the Sheriff's Department will be investigating the matter. 

Anyone who knows more is asked to contact detectives at (909) 387-3506.