Female inmate in Southern California captured during escape attempt

A sheriff’s deputy assigned to a correctional facility in Riverside County has been placed on administrative leave after discharging his firearm as a female inmate attempted to escape, officials announced earlier this week.

The Aug. 19 incident unfolded at 10:15 a.m. in the 26000 block of Cactus Avenue in Moreno Valley, according to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities say Kimberly Gallegos, a 25-year-old inmate from Jurupa Valley, fled through the parking lot as the unidentified correctional deputy attempted to remove her from the vehicle.

“The correctional deputy chased Gallegos with his weapon drawn,” the release stated. “During the foot chase, a round was fired into the ground by the correctional deputy.”

Additional deputies responded to the attempted escape and the 25-year-old was taken into custody.

No one was injured by the deputy firing his weapon, authorities added.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Corrections Central Investigations Unit assumed the investigation into the escape attempt and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Force Investigations Detail assumed the investigation into the discharge of the firearm.

Per department policy, the correctional deputy was placed on administrative leave while the investigation proceeds.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact California Highway Patrol Investigator Steve Cuevas or Riverside County Sheriff’s Investigator Jason Letterly at 951-955-2777.

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