Death by Cop- 2022
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Austin Lee Edwards *COP
Case # :1367
Gender : Male
Age : 28
Race : White
Date : 12/02/2022
Location : Unknown
City : San Bernardino
County : San Bernardino
State : California
Agency : San Bernardino County SO
Officer(s) :Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Suicide under police duress
Disposition : No known charges
Open Records Summary :
A former Virginia State Police (VSP) trooper responsible for a triple homicide across the country in California died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Edwards had committed a triple murder on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022 when he killed three members of the Winek family in Riverside County and set fire to their home to cover it up, after catfishing an online relationship with a 15-year-old girl in the family. San Bernardino deputies observed a red Kia Soul driving on Highway 247 during a manhunt for him. Sheriff’s Aviation and California Highway Patrol’s Aviation followed the Kia Soul from a distance until SWAT could catch up.
SWAT intercepted Edwards’ car, he fled and led deputies on a chase, during which time he shot at and struck a SWAT vehicle multiple times. Edwards reportedly lost control of his car and the chase ended when he drove off the road.
the 15-year-old girl whom he had “catfished” was in the car with him, but was able to exit at that point and be rescued by sheriff’s deputies.
As Edwards exited the vehicle, authorities said he pointed a gun at the sheriff’s helicopter, and deputies fired back at him. He was shot and killed. The girl survived.