Felix Jerry Marquez, a 34-year-old man from Riverside, California, died on May 8, 2021, following an officer-involved shooting. On that day, members of the City of Riverside's Public Safety Engagement Team (PSET), which includes Riverside Police, Code Enforcement, and social workers, were conducting outreach in a business area frequented by homeless individuals. Marquez, who was experiencing homelessness at the time, was approached by officers as he sat on a staircase.
When officers attempted to engage with him, Marquez began to walk away. According to reports, he then produced a handgun and aimed it at the officers, prompting them to open fire. Marquez was struck multiple times and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The weapon he brandished was later identified as a pellet gun that closely resembled a real firearm.
The incident was captured on body camera footage, which shows the officers firing eight shots at Marquez. The footage reveals that there was minimal conversation between Marquez and the officers before the shooting occurred. As the officers exited their vehicle and approached Marquez, he turned towards them and pulled out the pellet gun, leading to the fatal encounter. The Riverside Police Department released this footage to the public, providing a detailed account of the events leading up to Marquez's death.
Following the shooting, an investigation was launched by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Force Investigations Detail, with assistance from the Riverside County District Attorney's Bureau of Investigations, the Riverside County Sheriff – Coroner's Office, and the Riverside Police Department's Robbery – Homicide Unit and Forensics Unit. The investigation confirmed that Marquez had outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants for his arrest at the time of the incident. These warrants included charges for grand theft auto and receiving stolen property. Additionally, Marquez was known to carry a pellet gun and had a history of methamphetamine use, as revealed by interviews with his family.
The officer-involved shooting of Felix Jerry Marquez has been a subject of scrutiny and discussion within the community. The Riverside Police Department's Public Safety Engagement Team, formed in 2019, aims to maintain order in public spaces while providing resources to homeless individuals. This multi-department approach seeks to address issues such as unlawful panhandling, camping, and vagrancy, while also offering pathways out of homelessness. The investigation into Marquez's death remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the actions of the officers involved.
