A man engaging in a gun battle on a downtown Rialto street fired off up to 10 shots in a desperate attempt to defend himself early Thursday, Jan. 16.
At least that’s what he imagined was happening, police say.
A 23-year-old Fontana resident, appearing to be strung out on alcohol and illegal drugs just after closing time, was arrested with two handguns and a rifle on him, and more weapons in his car, Rialto police said in a news release.
“Based on initial findings it is believed (the man) was hallucinating while under the influence of alcohol and narcotics, causing him to believe he was in a gunfight with someone who was not there,” the release said.
The situation unfolded around 2:22 a.m. in the 200 block of S. Riverside Avenue. The man had left a business just before 2 a.m., gone to his car and retrieved the firearms, police said. He then tried to go back inside the business, which Rialto police declined to identify, saying the case is still under investigation.
“When he was denied access, he wandered in the street for several minutes before indiscriminately firing the rifle approximately five to 10 times toward an unknown target,” prompting several 911 calls, the release said. “Officers arrived on scene moments later at which time (he) surrendered and was arrested while still in possession of all three firearms.”
No injuries were reported.
Police said they found two more rifles, ammunition and 2 ounces of what was believed to be cocaine in his car, police said.
The man was booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on suspicion of possession of a firearm when not the registered owner, possession of a loaded firearm in public, negligent discharge of a firearm and possession of a firearm while in possession of illegal narcotics.
Police ask anyone with information on the case to call Sgt. Nic Parcher at 909-820-2550.