Man hospitalized after being shot by police near UC Riverside

A man was hospitalized early Monday in what authorities described as grave condition after police shot him in a vehicle in Riverside.

Shortly after midnight, two patrol officers spotted a black 2005 Honda Pilot in the parking lot of an Enterprise Rent-a-Car near UC Riverside’s main campus, officials said.

The officers made “brief contact” with two people inside the dark-colored SUV they called “suspicious,” which was parked behind the Town Square strip mall, Riverside Police Officer Ryan Railsback said.

Officers were standing near the SUV when it went into reverse, causing the open doors to strike both officers, Railsback said late Monday. At least one officer then fired into the SUV, striking the driver, Railsback said. The driver stopped then sped his SUV forward, colliding with a parked car, police said.

The passenger was not hit by gunfire but had minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital, Railsback said.

One of the officers who was struck by the SUV was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released. The second officer was treated at the scene, officials said.

The identities of those inside the SUV were not released. Railsback said the driver could be arrested on suspicion of assault or attempted murder of an officer. The passenger remains in police custody, authorities said.

The Riverside County district attorney’s office is investigating the shooting, but spokesman John Hall declined to comment further.