Deputies received an alert from an automated license plate reader about a stolen vehicle in the area of Highland and Victoria avenues, police said. Deputies found the vehicle in the parking structure of the San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino and began surveillance. A short time later, deputies watched a man and woman — Michael Russo and Ath Pen — get into the vehicle. When deputies tried to get the pair to get out of the vehicle, the man put it in reverse, striking and dragging a deputy. At least one deputy fired at the vehicle and struck and killed Russo. The vehicle continued to travel at a high rate of speed through the parking structure. As it barreled down a ramp, it smashed into two vehicles and a metal barrier in the structure's second level.
Victim's Name: Michael Russo
Agency Responsible: San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office
Gender: Male
Age: 31
Race: Black
Date of Death: February 1, 2017
County: San Bernardino
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Pending investigation/No Known Charges
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Vehicle
Weapon: vehicle
Threat Level: attack
Fleeing: Car
Body Camera: No
Washington Post Database ID: 2301
Geography: Suburban