Hesperia man killed in armed confrontation with deputies

A Hesperia man armed with a shotgun was shot and killed Tuesday morning by a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputy.

Shortly after 6:30 a.m., a man living on the 17900 block of Yucca Street called the Hesperia sheriff's station, reporting that his 32-year-old son, Gerald Gustavo Hilton, was off his medication, had armed himself with a shotgun and was firing the weapon inside the house.

When the deputies arrived, Hilton was still reportedly firing the gun and reportedly fired shots in their direction.

Hilton then reportedly left the house, still armed with the shotgun, and would not comply with orders to put down his weapon. Fearing Hilton would harm them or others, deputies shot the suspect and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the exchange of gunfire, a passing motorist's pick-up truck was shot, and the motorist was injured by what investigators believe was flying glass. The motorist was taken to Desert Valley Hospital for treatment.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Detective Warrick on the sheriff's homicide detail at (909) 387-3589, or call the anonymous WE TIP line at (800) 782-7463.

Beau Yarbrough can be reached at 956-7108 or at beau@hesperiastar.com. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/HesperiaStar.