The Riverside Police Department reports that officers were checking on a car parked at an apartment complex when they saw Ryan Joseph Smith sitting in the car.
When officers contacted him, he produced a gun and officers shot and killed him.
Riverside Police Department Press Release Re: Ryan Joseph Smith Shooting
RIVERSIDE, CA – On Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at approximately 1:48 a.m., Riverside Police Officers assigned to the Field Operations Division conducted an occupied vehicle check in an apartment driveway along the 3600 block of Banbury Drive, located in the La Sierra neighborhood of Riverside. During the contact, the suspect driver produced a firearm and an officer-involved shooting occurred. Officers immediately began life-saving measures until paramedics with the Riverside Fire Department arrived. The suspect was then taken to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Force Investigations Detail responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. They are being assisted by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations, Riverside County Sheriff – Coroner’s Office, along with the Riverside Police Department’s Robbery – Homicide Unit and Forensics Unit.
A firearm was recovered at the scene. The suspect driver has been identified as 26-year-old Ryan Joseph Smith of San Bernardino.
This investigation is still ongoing and there are no further details to release at this time. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Riverside Sheriff’s Department Investigator Dan Moody at (951) 955-2777 or [email protected], or Detective Anthony Watkins at (951) 353-7105 or [email protected].
Those wishing to remain anonymous can email [email protected], or download and use the Riverside Police Department’s “Atlas 1” mobile app by utilizing the “Send a Message” feature. Our app can be downloaded at: