A four-year old Riverside boy died from stab wounds at Women & Children’s Hospital Wednesday night and his grandmother was shot dead..
Two officers on routine patrol were flagged down around 4:15 p.m. Wednesday in front of a home at 193 & 195 Esser Avenue, a double home with a common front porch area.
At the same time, a 911 received a call that a child had been assaulted.
Police shot and killed 38-year-old Charlene Fears as she lunged towards them after they repeatedly told her to drop two knives she was armed with.
"As the officers approached the residence to determine what happened, and render aid, they discovered the four year old boy bleeding profusely on the porch," said Dennis J. Richards, chief of detectives. "The 38 year old woman, who has been identified as the maternal grandmother of the four year old, charged towards the officers, armed with two large knives," Richards said.
The child was rushed by ambulance to Children’s Hospital where he later died.
Homicide Squad and Crime Scene Unit personnel continued to check for evidence at the scene of the Esser Avenue home and determine what took place before the officers' arrival.
The Police Department's Internal Affairs Division is conducting an investigation into the officer-involved shooting, which is departmental protocol.