BIG BEAR - (INT) - The State Attorney General has cleared a San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy of any wrong doing in the gunshot slaying of a parolee at the climax to a chase through the Sugarloaf area of Big Bear.

It was found that Kyle Sostek was not armed when he jumped from his sedan and ran toward the deputy with his arm extended. Sostek was fatally wounded in the March 2023 incident.

The DOJ’s conclusions issued Friday (May 9th) carried four recommendations:

- that the SBSD require deputies who have participated in officer-involved shootings to be placed in separate patrol vehicles to prevent deputies from discussing the incident with one another prior to their attorney consultation

- that the SBSD provide refresher training as to the importance of preserving all evidence and not removing potential evidence

- that the SBSD should revise its policies regarding the use of body worn cameras

- that SBSD consider equipping and installing an in-car video system in its patrol units.

Story Date: May 16, 2025