The state Department of Justice, which investigates fatal shootings by law enforcement of unarmed civilians, is heading up a probe to determine whether the deputies acted lawfully.

The sheriff’s department said Jaque “Queque” Rabon, 23, was a “documented gang member.” But it has not publicly announced what led to the shooting.

On Saturday, several people gathered at the shooting site, a shopping center at one of Riverside’s busiest intersections, Tyler Street and Magnolia Avenue. A bystander led a prayer as the group, including Rabon’s cousin, stood next to a small memorial of candles and flowers.

“He did a lot of bad, but it wasn’t always like that,” the sister, Makyla Brown, said in an interview on a phone supplied by the cousin, Christopher Martinez.

Brown said Rabon had a difficult childhood and had mental health issues.

Rabon was the subject of a guardianship case in 2011, when he would have been about 9 years old. San Bernardino County Superior Court records show that his mother, Tyesha Moody, initially was willing to surrender custody but then objected to another woman’s petition for guardianship. When the matter was called for what turned out to be the final hearing in early 2012, the petitioner didn’t show up, and Rabon’s mother remained his guardian.

Brown said her brother liked to rap, could sing “a little” and loved sports. His mother still kept his trophies.

“Before the streets got a hold of him, he played basketball and football in middle school,” Brown said.

In August of 2025, Rabon was charged with assault with a semi-automatic firearm and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He failed to appear in court on Aug. 21, court records show, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

In a three-paragraph release distributed more than 30 hours after the shooting, officials said deputies were attempting to arrest Rabon on the warrant around 10 a.m. on Thursday when they shot him for unspecified reasons. He died at the scene.

The Sheriff’s Department will conduct an internal investigation to determine whether policies were followed.

Brown said investigators have told the family little about her brother’s final moments. She said he had a fanny pack containing money and identification.

“No gun, no knives, no scissors, no tweezers,” Brown said.

Martinez said he appreciated the stranger’s prayer at the memorial on Saturday.

“I think it’s great that the community had the decency and respect,” Martinez said.

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Following a more than year-long investigation by the state’s Department of Justice, the agency concluded in a 35-page report that criminal charges against the officers were not appropriate because the lawmen believed deadly force was necessary to defend themselves and others.

Just after 12 a.m. on July 4, 2024, Jimmy Eugene Lopez, 26, entered the After 5 Lounge located at 133 North Harvard Street in Hemet. He was drinking, chatting with patrons, and becoming increasingly intoxicated, according to the DOJ report.

Patrons physically supported him to keep him upright, and he was eventually helped out of the bar, according to the report.

Just after 1:30 a.m., a bar employee called 911. She stated that a man, later identified as Lopez, was “super intoxicated,” and she was “trying to get him an Uber.” She also reported that the man’s phone and a gun fell out of his pocket, the DOJ investigation found.

A description of Lopez and his direction of on-foot travel was provided. He was allegedly stumbling and struggling to maintain his balance, and appeared to be carrying a black handgun.

Hemet police received a radio call from dispatch at approximately 1:42 a.m. about the alleged armed man. Based on the nature of the call and the potential danger of an armed suspect, several officers responded to the area.

They found their suspect, Lopez, lying on the sidewalk, propped up against a brick wall along the glass storefront of Balloons N Things, located at 208 East Florida Avenue — a party supply store situated around the corner from the After 5 Lounge.

Police called to Lopez, and he sat upright. They ordered him to put his hands up, and he complied, according to the DOJ report.

At some point, Lopez reached down with his left hand and retrieved a vape pen from the ground next to him, lifted it to his mouth, and took a deep inhalation. He exhaled and placed the vape back on the ground.

As Lopez made these movements, multiple officers repeatedly told him “don’t reach,” “get on your stomach,” and to “keep your hands up,” according to the report.

Lopez then shifted his weight and reached for an item with his right hand, retrieving an apparent black handgun from the ground, the DOJ report states.

Police deployed a 40mm launcher, and they fired less-than-lethal shots at Lopez but missed him. Lopez then raised his apparent gun and pointed it in the direction of law enforcement, according to the report. That is when officers fired on him.

It was 63 seconds from the time police spotted Lopez outside Balloons N Things until the time they fired and killed him.

The weapon Lopez was holding was an Airsoft BB gun, but to the police it resembled a Glock 19.

Lopez was raised by his grandparents. He had two daughters, ages 4 and 6, who lived with their mother.

Lopez’s main vice was alcohol, which he used to escape depression, mainly stemming from the tumultuous relationship with his daughters’ mother and not being able to see his children, his grandparents and an uncle told investigators.

He was not involved in any gang or criminal activity. However, he had a previous driving under the influence charge, for which he was going to court, the family said.

The family had no reason to believe Lopez was suicidal or might possibly be engaging in any risky behaviors. Overall, the family characterized him as getting his life together, working a consistent job, and trying to grow as a person, according to the DOJ report.

In the weeks following the deadly shooting, Lopez’s family members told reporters they were filing a lawsuit against the Hemet Police Department. The status of that suit is unavailable and its unclear whether the DOJ findings might hamper any outcome.

The state investigation into the shooting considered potential recommendations, including (1) whether officers should have redeployed the 40mm launcher or deployed other less-lethal weapons, (2) positioned their vehicles differently to avoid the risk of cross-fire, or (3) rendered medical aid themselves.

“However, after a thorough evaluation, DOJ did not have recommendations to modify the policies and practices of HPD as it concerns this specific shooting incident,” according to a news release from California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office.

State probes into police shootings are routine in California under Assembly Bill 1506, which requires the state DOJ to investigate officer-involved shootings that result in the death of an unarmed person.

“The California Department of Justice remains steadfast in our commitment to working together with all law enforcement partners to ensure an unbiased, transparent, and accountable legal system for every resident of California,” Bonta said. “AB 1506 is a critical transparency and accountability tool, and our hope is that this report provides understanding that advances towards a safer California for all. Any loss of life is a tragedy, and we extend our condolences to Mr. Lopez’s family. We will continue to work to foster a just and equitable legal system that not only protects the rights of individuals but also promotes trust and accountability between law enforcement and our communities.”

A copy of the DOJ report into the Lopez shooting can be found here.

The post Hemet Police Cleared By DOJ In Dad’s Shooting Death appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The shooting occurred at about 10:30 a.m. in the 6600 block of Palm Avenue, near Central Avenue, according to the Riverside Police Department.

Officer Ryan Railsback told City News Service that two Problem-Oriented Policing unit officers were conducting a carjacking investigation and received word that the two suspects involved the alleged theft were on Palm.

“The officers had learned this was a potential place where the suspects hang out, and they happened to come across them there,” Railsback said.

He said that as the two lawmen approached the vehicle, the two alleged thieves — identified only as men in their 40s — were exiting the car, and “one of the suspects produced a firearm, at which point an officer-involved shooting occurred.”

The gunman was struck by the officer’s bullets, while his cohort was not hit, according to Railsback, adding that neither officer was injured.

The police officers’ identities were not released.

“The suspect was taken to a hospital, where he is in stable condition,” Railsback said.

The other man was taken into custody without incident.

Railsback said they would likely be booked on suspicion of carjacking, as well as possibly weapons allegations and, “depending on how the suspect’s firearm was used,” assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer or attempted murder of a peace officer.

The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

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