Fontana Officer Shoots Armed Man During Traffic Stop

FONTANA (AP) — A Fontana police officer shot a passenger who pointed a gun during a traffic stop on Monday.

The officer wasn't hurt.

Sgt. Robert Morris said in a news release that the officer stopped a vehicle for an undisclosed traffic violation. As he approached the vehicle, he saw the front passenger was holding a handgun.

The passenger, 35-year-old Enrique Mendez, then pointed the weapon at the officer.

The officer fired several rounds and wounded Mendez, who is hospitalized in unknown condition.

Morris said he will be booked for investigation of attempted murder of a police officer.

Three other people in the vehicle weren't hurt.

Records show Mendez was recently released under California's prison realignment plan to eliminate overcrowding.

The officer's name is being withheld.

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