Corona, California — Early Tuesday morning, police in Corona fatally shot a man who was reportedly wielding a tire iron and striking vehicles near a busy intersection, authorities said.
Incident Overview
Police said they received multiple 911 calls shortly after 12:15 a.m. about a man aggressively swinging a tire iron at passing cars at the intersection of McKinley Street and Promenade Avenue. Responding officers arrived moments later and encountered the man, who was still armed.
According to the official statement, officers gave repeated commands instructing him to drop the weapon. When he refused to comply, at least one officer fired their weapon, hitting the man. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police confirmed.
Aerial visuals captured by Sky5 showed the man’s body near the edge of a shopping center parking lot, adding a stark visual to the early-morning disturbance.
Eyewitness Account
One witness, a man identified only as Carlos, told KTLA reporter Kimberly Cheng that he was directly confronted by the suspect during the chaotic moments leading up to the shooting.
Carlos, who works nearby, said he first noticed the man striking a passing car with the metal tool. When he tried to approach or calm the individual, the suspect allegedly turned his aggression toward him.
“I started running away from him. I told him, ‘Hey, calm down, I’m your friend. Are you OK?’” Carlos recalled. “But he didn’t want to listen to me.”
Although he managed to escape unharmed, Carlos believes the man was “on drugs” based on his erratic behavior.
Additional Victims and Vehicle Collision
Police later said the suspect also used his vehicle to crash into another occupied car, causing moderate injuries to the driver. Investigators noted that multiple people appear to have been targeted during the episode, though only one injury has been officially confirmed so far.
“This incident involved more than a single confrontation,” authorities said. “Further investigation revealed that the suspect had used his vehicle to strike another occupied vehicle, resulting in the victim sustaining moderate injuries.”
Ongoing Investigation
The identity of the deceased man is being withheld until next-of-kin are notified. Police have not yet confirmed whether drugs or alcohol were involved, though toxicology tests will be conducted as part of the investigation.
The officer or officers who fired their weapons have not been publicly identified. As with all officer-involved shootings, the incident will undergo a formal review according to departmental procedures.
Community Reaction and Safety Concerns
The incident has sparked concerns among residents and workers in the Corona area, especially due to its proximity to a busy shopping center and its occurrence during late-night business hours. Several community members expressed shock that an attack could unfold so quickly and escalate into an officer-involved shooting within minutes.
People who frequent the area noted that McKinley Street and Promenade Avenue often see heavy nighttime traffic, making the incident all the more alarming.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional footage or information to come forward as the investigation continues.
This incident raises tough questions about public safety, police response times, and mental health crises in public spaces.
Share your thoughts in the comments — do you feel the officers handled the situation appropriately?
