On Monday, December 5, 2022, at approximately 4:27 p.m., suspect Gunther Tellez drove his black Dodge Charger into the secured parking lot of the Rialto Police Department behind a Rialto police officer driving in a marked black and white police vehicle. Tellez exited his vehicle and pointed what appeared to be an assault rifle at the officer, at which time an officer involved shooting occurred.
For additional details, please view Chief Mark Kling’s video press release from the night of the incident.
***UPDATE***
The suspect has been identified as Gunther Elizalde Tellez, age 35, of San Bernardino.
As protocol, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department responded to conduct the shooting investigation. After several hours of processing the crime scene, investigators from the Sheriff’s Department determined the weapon Tellez pointed at the Rialto officer was an AR-15 style paintball gun.
Tellez sustained multiple gunshot wounds resulting from the lethal force encounter and is currently in stable condition at a local area hospital. He is in the process of being absentee booked on the felony charge of PC 69 – Deter or Prevent an Officer by Threat or Violence. Upon his release from the hospital, Tellez will be transferred to the West Valley Detention Center. Tellez’ bail will be set at $50,000.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department’s Specialized Investigations Division, Sergeant Troy Mooradian or Detective Candelario Sahagun at (909) 890-4904. Witnesses wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
Refer to case #602200136, H#2022-158
Media inquiries can be directed to Corporal Nic Parcher at (909) 771-9016.
