Deputies fatally shoot teen at Apple Valley home who allegedly attacked them with tool

APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Deputies shot and killed a 15-year-old at an Apple Valley home Saturday after he allegedly attacked them with a bladed gardening tool, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The incident unfolded Saturday just before 5 p.m. when deputies were called to a home in the 13400 block of Iroquois Road. Family members reported a 15-year-old was attacking family members and damaging property at the home.

When the first deputy showed up, the department says the 15-year-old, later identified as Ryan Gainer, tried to attack him with a 5-foot-long gardening tool with a sharp blade at the end.

The deputy tried to get away but the department says the teen chased after him, intending to attack him with the blade. The deputy opened fire and Gainer was struck. He was later brought to a local hospital and pronounced dead there.

The department's Specialized Investigations Division is investigating the incident.

The department released a short segment of body camera video showing the deputy arrive to the front door of the home. The teen is seen wielding a long tool in his hand, rushing out the front door toward the deputy.

With his gun drawn, the deputy backs up away from the doorway as the teen approaches.

The deputy shouts "Hey get back! Get back or you're gonna get shot." He is first walking back and then running away as the teen runs after him. It appears the deputy lifts his arm to shoot as he is running backwards, with the teen just a few feet away, and then the released portion of the video ends.

Portions of audio from the initial 911 call were also released in which a family member asks for help, saying the teen was attacking his own sister and breaking glass and doors in the home.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus released a statement about the incident:

"Our social safety net for those experiencing mental illness needs to be strengthened. Our deputies handle seemingly insurmountable calls daily. Most of these calls do not end in violence. However, this one ended in tragedy for Ryan, his family, and for the deputies who responded. Rapidly evolving, violent encounters are some of the most difficult, requiring split second decisions. While these decisions are lawful, they are awful in terms of our humanity. I feel for both Ryan's family and my deputies who will struggle with this for their entire lives."