March 15, 2010

Off-duty Calif. cop fatally shoots violent man

The man attacked the officer, who was with his 6-year-old daughter

Orange County Register

ANAHEIM, Calif. — An off-duty officer with the Gardena Police Department shot and killed a man when he was attacked at a Del Taco on Sunday afternoon, police said.

Anaheim police responded to a call of a shooting at the Del Taco on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Rio Vista Street at 3:45 p.m. to find two injured men, said Sgt. Rick Martinez.

The restaurant was closed Sunday but open for business again Monday morning.

The off-duty officer, whose name is not being released, was leaving the restaurant with his 6-year-old daughter when he was attacked by a 39-year-old man.

Martinez said the suspect was "highly agitated" before the attack.

"We don't know why, we don't know what preceded it," Martinez said. "As a result, somewhere in that attack the officer fired his weapon and struck the guy."

The officer's attacker, who was shot in the abdomen, was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead shortly after arrival, Martinez said. His name is not being released pending notification of family members.

The off-duty officer's daughter was not injured and was taken to family members after the shooting, Martinez said.

The officer, who has been with the Gardena Police Department for 10 years, was transported to a hospital to treat facial wounds and possible broken bones. His injuries are not life-threatening, Martinez said.

Several Del Taco customers witnessed the shooting and were being questioned by Anaheim police.