San Bernardino County deputy suffers minor injuries following Hesperia burglary
Correction: KCAL News sent a push notification stating the deputy was shot, however, his injury was not gun-related.
A San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy was hospitalized Wednesday evening after a deadly shooting in Hesperia.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department responded around to a home invasion robbery in the 13200 block of Sunland Street at about 7 p.m. Wednesday night. The caller told police there were armed intruders in the house.
When deputies arrived, Abel Valensia exited the house wearing a mask and pointed a gun at them, prompting deputies to open fire. He died at the scene. Detectives said that the weapon Valensia pointed at deputies was a BB Gun.
According to neighbor June Hill, Valensia was not a burglar but a resident of the home. She said he was having a mental health crisis.
"He had a mental illness and was suffering pretty bad," she said. "And he probably needed help and just didn't talk to somebody."
Still processing her son's death, Valensia's mother did not want to talk about what transpired at her home.
"He was very friendly. I feel sorry for the family," said Hill.
Hill said she shared similar feelings for the deputies.
"They have a family too," she said. "They want to go home to their family. And so when someone starts shooting at you, you have to defend yourself."
