RIVERSIDE – A Riverside County sheriff's deputy who killed an armed robbery suspect at the end of a pursuit has returned to duty, as an investigation of the shooting continues, the Sheriff's Department reported Thursday.

Deputy Sean Vickers, who has been with the department for 4½ years, shot 27-year-old Brandon James Leban around 2:30 a.m. last Thursday outside a Moreno Valley apartment complex, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Minutes before the shooting, authorities had been told a man with a gun held up an AM/PM store at 23145 Hemlock Ave. Deputies responded to the clerk's 911 call, spotted a vehicle leaving the area and gave chase.

Leban led deputies on a one-block pursuit to the 12100 block of Calle Sombra, where he ran into an apartment complex.

Vickers caught up with the suspect and ordered him to the ground, but Leban allegedly “reached into his right front pants pocket, turned toward (Vickers), and the shooting occurred,” according to a statement from the Sheriff's Department.

A silver toy gun was found in Leban's possession.

Sheriff's Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez said the shooting remains under investigation. He said Vickers returned to duty this week after several days on paid administrative leave.