Police hunt for parolee who wielded assault rifle during traffic stop

Authorities were searching for a parolee who fled on foot after stepping from his vehicle clutching a fully loaded assault rifle during a traffic stop in Rialto early Wednesday, prompting a police officer to open fire.

Police believe Darnell White was involved in a drive-by shooting Tuesday night in Riverside County before he was pulled over in Rialto. White is armed and dangerous and has an “extensive criminal history,” police said.

His age and last known address were not immediately available.

White was pulled over in the 900 block of Mesa Drive about 1:45 a.m. after a Rialto police officer spotted two vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed, police Sgt. David Shepherd said.

After stopping his vehicle, White got out clutching the loaded assault rifle.

Believing he was about to be fired upon, the officer fired “multiple rounds” at the suspect, Shepherd said.

The officer wasn’t injured, and the rifle was recovered at the scene, Shepherd added.

White fled to a nearby home, but was gone before a SWAT team could search the residence, police said.

Authorities believe White was injured during the shooting.

Shepherd said residents told officers that they found blood splattered in the area after White left.

Anyone with information was asked to contact Rialto police Det. Rory Scalf at (909) 421-4990.