Man Shot, Wounded By Deputies In Whittier

WHITTIER (CBSLA.com) – A suspect identified by authorities as a local gang member was wounded Tuesday in a deputy-involved shooting near Whittier when he ran at a deputy while armed, authorities said.

No deputies were injured in the shooting, which was reported about 2:30 p.m. in the 13700 block of Mulberry Drive in the unincorporated South Whittier area, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Homicide detectives investigating the shooting learned that gang investigators from the Operations Safe Streets Bureau attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle, said Deputy Caroline Rodriguez.

The 22-year-old suspect, who was inside the vehicle, was wanted for a probation violation and a felony warrant for illegal possession of a gun, she said. When the suspect's vehicle stopped, he exited the car and ran in the direction of a deputy while brandishing a handgun, which is when the deputy- involved shooting occurred, Rodriguez said. The suspect was struck several times in the lower body by the deputy's gunfire and collapsed, Rodriguez said.

The suspect was airlifted to a trauma center, the Los Angeles County Fire Department reported. He was in stable condition.

The suspect's firearm, a black semi-automatic handgun, was recovered at the scene, Rodriguez added.

(©2017 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)