On Saturday, October 28th, 2023, at about 11:00 PM, San Bernardino Police Officers responded to a call from security at the National Orange Show that an armed robbery just occurred in a back parking lot of the property. The suspect was described as a male wearing an orange vest and a beanie who was armed with a handgun. Officers working at a large-scale music festival at that location quickly responded to the location while in full police uniform, driving a marked off-road vehicle equipped with red and blue lights.
Arriving officers encountered a male subject who matched the description. According to officers, the suspect was armed with a handgun and shot at them, causing them to return fire. The suspect was taken into custody, and his firearm was recovered. Medical aid was summoned and transported the suspect to a local hospital where he succumbed to injury. The suspect was identified as David Rojas Sr., 53-year-old resident of San Bernardino with an extensive violent criminal history.
While doing an area canvass for witnesses and additional evidence, officers located a subject on an adjacent property suffering from a gunshot wound. An expended bullet casing was located near the subject, indicating a close contact shot. Medical aid was summoned for the male, however, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Homicide detectives are still investigating both shootings. At this point in the investigation, it does not appear Rojas had any direct relation to the National Orange Show event. The case is still under investigation, and more information may be available. As standard protocol, the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene on the date of the officer-involved shooting and is conducting a parallel independent investigation, which is also ongoing.
If anyone has additional information regarding the incident, please call the San Bernardino Investigations Unit at 909-384-5615.