Officer down…
Officer ANDRE MOYE JR
August
16, 2019
Riverside
Police Officer Ryan J. Railsback PIO
Monday,
August 12, 2019, at approximately 5:37 P.M. a call to Riverside Police
Department, for immediate assistance for
an “officer down” , was requested by California
Highway Patrol on the Eastridge Avenue, a overpass at the Interstate 215.
Officers from the Riverside Police
Department (RPD), University of
California – Riverside Police Department (UCRPD), and Riverside County Sheriff Deputies (RSD) responded along with additional CHP
Officers.
California Highway
Patrol Motor Officer Andre Moye Jr. conducted
a traffic enforcement stop of a white pickup at this location. During that
stop, the lone suspect produced a weapon and fired at Officer Moye Jr.,
severely injuring him.
A
backup California Highway Patrol
Officer, who was also on scene, immediately took gunfire from the suspect and
returned fire. He called for assistance during the gunfight and was also
struck, which caused a critical injury to one of his legs.
More
CHP Officers and RSD Deputies responded. Upon arrival, they also took gunfire
from the suspect, but were able to move the backup CHP officer from the line of
fire. The exchange of gunfire between the suspect and law enforcement continued
for several minutes, resulting in a third CHP Officer being struck.
A
RPD Officer arrived to the west of the suspect and exchanged gunfire with him.
The suspect was severely injured causing him to stop his attack.
Law Enforcement Law Officers
rendered aid to the three CHP Officers who sustained gunshots, along with the
suspect.
Two of the injured Officers were transported by police vehicle to the Riverside
University Health Systems (RUHS) trauma center.
California Highway Patrol Officer
Moye Jr. was airlifted to the same hospital by RPD’s police helicopter.
Life-saving measures were made by RUHS staff but unfortunately, Officer Moye
Jr. succumbed to his injuries and died in the line of duty. Officer Moye Jr.
was a 4-year veteran assigned to the CHP – Riverside area station. One CHP
Officer sustained minor injuries and was released the next day, and the other
CHP Officer sustained critical injuries, but is currently in stable condition.
The suspect was taken to
RUHS where he succumbed to his injuries. The weapon he used in this murder was
a semi-automatic rifle, and it was recovered at the scene on the suspect. He
was identified as Aaron Luther, 49-years-old of Beaumont. His criminal history
includes prior prison commitment for attempted murder and assault with a deadly
weapon against a peace officer, along with other violent crimes.
This
critical incident occurred within the city limits of Riverside, California. The
Riverside Police Department is the lead investigating agency. Detectives with
the Robbery – Homicide Unit, along with Specialists from the Forensics Unit,
responded and assumed the investigation. They were assisted by Detectives from
the RSD’s Central Homicide Unit and the CHP’s Investigative Services Unit. The
Riverside County Sheriff – Coroner and Riverside County District Attorney’s
Office are also assisting.
Peer
support and counseling services have been offered for all law enforcement
involved in this investigation. The Riverside University Health Systems has
offered behavioral health services to any witness or non-law enforcement victim
from this incident.
For
more information, please contact Roderick W. Verbeck at rverbeck@ruhealth.org or (951)
955-1551.
This
investigation will be lengthy and no further details are available at this
time. Anyone with additional information or video is urged to contact Detective
Dan Mercadefe at (951) 353-7103 or dmercadefe@riversideca.gov or Detective Brett
Stennett at (951) 353-7213 or bstennett@riversideca.gov
ALL
MEDIA INQUIRIES should be directed to our Public Information Officer at (951)
373- 6032 or rrailsback@riversideca.gov To view
the two press conferences regarding this investigation, click on: Joint Press
Conference - Monday, August 12, 2019 Joint Press Conference - Tuesday, August
13, 2019
A
memorial account has been created for the family of Officer Andre Moye Jr.
through the California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP) Credit Union.
Donations can be made online at:
https://cahpcu.org/OfficerAndreMoyeJrMemorialFund or mailed to: CAHP Credit
Union P.O. Box 276507 Sacramento, CA 95826. Condolences may be sent to the
following address: California Highway Patrol, Riverside Area 8118 Lincoln Ave.
Riverside, CA 92504
