HESPERIA, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Newly released body-worn camera footage and 911 dispatch audio from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department provide new details about a fatal involved shooting in Hesperia, where a man staged a fake home invasion call.
The incident, which took place on 20,when deputies responded to a 911 call claiming armed intruders had broken into a residence in the 13000 block of Sunland Street in Hesperia. The caller, later identified as Abel Valensia, fabricated the emergency to lure law enforcement to the scene.
In the newly released 911 dispatch audio, Valensia can be heard pleading for help while avoiding providing specific location details.
Throughout the 911 call, Valensia claimed that people were inside his home and that he was in danger. However, he repeatedly refused to provide his exact location, instead urging the dispatcher to “trace the call” to find him. Despite multiple attempts by the dispatcher to obtain an address, Valensia continued to be evasive.
Deputies responded to the call at approximately 7:02 p.m. and arrived at the residence by 7:06 p.m. As the first deputy approached the home, Valensia exited the front door wearing a mask and holding a handgun. Authorities said he pointed the weapon at the deputy, prompting an immediate lethal force encounter.
Despite being shot at, Valensia continued to advance toward the deputy, chasing him around a parked vehicle while still holding the weapon. The deputy fired additional rounds while taking cover, striking Valensia, who eventually fell to the ground. The deputy’s body-worn camera was deactivated when it struck the ground during repositioning.
A second deputy arrived on scene at approximately 7:10 p.m. and issued commands for Valensia to drop the gun. When Valensia refused, another round of gunfire ensued. Deputies approached the downed suspect and found he displayed obvious signs of death. Valensia was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Investigators recovered the handgun still in Valensia’s right hand with his finger on the trigger. It was later determined to be a BB gun designed to replicate a Sig Sauer P365 9mm handgun.
During the investigation, detectives learned that the 911 call for help was placed from a phone number associated with Valensia, leading authorities to conclude he staged the fake home invasion in an apparent attempt to lure deputies into a deadly confrontation.
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The initial responding deputy suffered lacerations to his arm during the incident. He was treated at Desert Valley Hospital and later released.
Following the shooting, additional deputies established a perimeter and obtained a search warrant to investigate the possibility of a second suspect inside the home. Members of the Sheriff’s Specialized Enforcement Division (S.E.D.) conducted a thorough search but found no additional suspects or individuals inside.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office conducted an independent review to determine whether the actions of the involved deputies were within the law.
The Sheriff’s Specialized Investigation Division conducted a criminal investigation related to the actions of the suspect.
