Felix Jerry Marquez, 34, was shot and killed by officers on May 8, 2021, after an interaction in a Riverside business district where outreach was being conducted by the city’s Public Safety Engagement Team. Officers approached Marquez as he sat on a staircase; body camera footage shows little conversation before he stood, produced what turned out to be a pellet gun that closely resembled a real firearm, and aimed it at the officers. Officers fired eight shots; Marquez was struck multiple times and later died at a local hospital.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Force Investigations Detail led the probe with assistance from the county district attorney’s investigators, coroner’s office, and Riverside Police homicide and forensics units. Investigators confirmed Marquez had outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants, including allegations of grand theft auto and receiving stolen property, and family interviews noted he carried a pellet gun and struggled with methamphetamine use. The investigation into the shooting remained ongoing.

If anyone witnessed the encounter or has additional information about Marquez’s last hours, please share what is known.