Calif. deputies fatally shoot two during gunfight

The Associated Press

SAN JACINTO, Calif. — Deputies shot and killed two people who had opened fire near an Indian casino in Southern California and fired at a sheriff's helicopter as officers chased them into the hills of the reservation.

Riverside County officers showed up at the Soboba Indian reservation around 6:20 p.m. Monday in response to a call from guards who said they were taking fire at a security kiosk, authorities said.

A man and a woman attacked the deputies with assault rifles, then drove off into the hills, Sgt. Dean Spivacke said. The suspects exchanged gunfire with officers pursuing them and shot at a helicopter that was following them, authorities said.

The suspects' vehicle broke down, and SWAT officers confronted them. More shooting ensued, and the hour-long gunbattle ended when both suspects were killed, Spivacke said. Authorities did not immediately release their identities.

No one else was hurt.

It was the second fatal shooting by deputies at the reservation in less than a week. On Thursday, deputies killed 26-year-old tribal member Eli Morillo after he began shooting at them with an assault rifle.