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Man fatally shot today on Soboba Indian Reservation; authorities asking public's help

Staff Writer he Valley News Sunday, July 12th, 2009. Issue 28, Volume 9.

HEMET - A man was shot dead today on the Soboba Indian Reservation, and a suspect who led deputies on a chase was arrested, a sheriff's sergeant said.

The shooting was reported at 4:39 a.m. at a home in the 24000 block of Poppet Flats Road, a winding track that climbs from the Hemet valley into the San Jacinto Mountains, according to sheriff's Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez.

Deputies found a dead man in the residence, which is on Soboba land, and were told the suspect, Larry Ayres, 24, of Soboba, fled in a pickup truck, according to Gutierrez.

The truck was spotted on Interstate 10 in Beaumont, and a pursuit ensued that led deputies back to the reservation, Gutierrez said.

Ayres stopped at a residence and ran into the house before surrendering, Gutierrez said.

He was taken to Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta and booked on suspicion of murder, Gutierrez said.

The deceased man's identity was withheld.

The Sheriff's Department received the full cooperation of the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, Gutierrez said.

The tribe and the Sheriff's Department have had disputes in the past regarding shooting investigations.

Soboba leaders have accused deputies of excessive force, and sheriff's officials have cited lawlessness on the reservation.

Gutierrez asked anyone with more information on the shooting to call Investigator Ken Patterson at the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Central Homicide Unit at (760) 393-3500.



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