A Palm Desert resident, Kelly Lynette Cronn, 53, is currently in custody following a deputy-involved shooting incident that occurred on Sunday. Cronn has been charged and is recuperating from non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the incident.
The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner released a press statement detailing the events of December 10, 2023. At approximately 2:45 a.m., deputies from the Riverside Sheriff's Palm Desert Station responded to a reported burglary in progress at an address on the 49000 block of State Highway 74 in Palm Desert. As one suspect was being detained inside the property, Cronn allegedly emerged from another room wielding a knife. Despite commands from the deputies to drop her weapon, she reportedly refused, prompting a deputy to discharge his firearm.
In the same press statement, it was noted that deputies provided medical aid before Cronn was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. She is currently recuperating at Riverside University Health Systems Detention Care Unit. Charges against Cronn include two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer. Following the incident, another suspect was taken to the sheriff station for questioning and subsequently released.
The Sheriff-Coroner's press statement also revealed that the deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with department policy. The identity of this deputy has not yet been disclosed.
Lastly, according to the press statement from Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner, an investigation into this incident is underway and is being spearheaded by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office assigned to the Riverside Sheriff’s Force Investigations.