The National Sand Drag Association has pulled its races from the Soboba Indian Reservation, citing safety concerns following a series of fatal shootings by deputies that left three tribal members dead.

The Arizona-based organization, with a membership of more than 500, decided in June to pull its events off the reservation and instead will hold its races at a new facility near Mystic Lake west of San Jacinto, said Alfonso "Chachy" Zavala, one of several organizers.

"We didn't feel safe going back there," Zavala said Tuesday. "We didn't want to put anyone else in danger. It was better for the racers, organizers and spectators to hold it somewhere else."

Tribal Councilwoman Rose Salgado said the tribe leased the land to the race organizers, who had a separate contract with the casino. She did not expect the pullout to have any substantial impact on the tribe or casino.

She did not know race organizers had issues with the safety surrounding the events.

"This is the first I am hearing about it," she said.

The move is the latest fallout from the May shootings and the subsequent war of words between tribal leadership and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The Riverside Sheriff's Association, which represents thousands of employees, urged its members in May to stay away from the reservation and casino, citing concerns over safety. The city of San Jacinto has also been at odds with the tribe over plans to expand the reservation. City officials said that until safety issues are addressed, San Jacinto will oppose the expansion.

The racing association holds several events each year -- up to four on the reservation -- as part of a series of events in the western United States. The events drew thousands of spectators and participants, many who stayed at makeshift campgrounds nearby and spend money at the casino, Zavala said.

The tribe sponsored the races -- providing some of the prize money -- and took a portion of the gate receipts, said Chris Ketron, another organizer.

During one May event, Zavala said his parents were forced to remain on the reservation after authorities closed off the only road leading to and from the area. He described it as an emotionally difficult experience for them.

"We just don't want people to go through something like that again," he said.

The races are scheduled for next month at a new site several miles away, near Mystic Lake between San Jacinto and Moreno Valley. The site is located off Bridge Street between Gilman Springs Road and the Ramona Expressway.

Meanwhile, the family of a tribal member killed May 12 has filed a wrongful death claim against Riverside County, arguing he was unarmed when he was shot. The claim for 36-year-old Joseph Arres, was received Monday.

Arres and a fellow tribal member died in a shootout on a remote section of the reservation. SWAT officers, who said they were fired upon by Arres or Tamera Angela Hurtado, shot the two multiple times.

Hurtado's family filed a claim against the county last week, citing similar allegations.

Sheriff's Sgt. Dean Spivacke said last week evidence indicates that both Arres and Hurtado were armed when they were shot by deputies. There was an SKS rifle found next to Hurtado's body and deputies indicated she was brandishing the weapon when she was shot, Spivacke said.

Arres and Hurtado were shot multiple times and the injuries were sustained in the front of their bodies, indicating they were shot while facing the deputies, he said.

Reach Jose Arballo Jr. at 951-368-9280 or jarballo@PE.com