Police officer opens fire on suspect inside Walmart, leaving him injured
A deputy-involved shooting that left one man wounded took place after three suspects attempted to commit fraud at a Walmart in Foothill Ranch.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department news release, “Multiple subjects inside the store were believed to be attempting to commit fraud by returning items they had not purchased.” When police were called in around 9:40 PM on January 19th, they were met with defiance.
Witnesses stated that one of the male suspects refused to comply with police commands and instead brandished a weapon. At that point, at least one officer opened fire, striking the suspect. The other two suspects, a male and a female, took off.
One of the officers got the license plate information of the suspect vehicle fleeing the scene and reported it to dispatch. By the time they were found and taken into custody, they had made it to Midway City, about 20 miles away from the scene of the crime.
Police located a handgun and a knife at the scene, which they believe belong to the wounded suspect.
The suspect who was shot was taken to a hospital and underwent surgery for his injury. At the time of the news release, his condition was unknown.
“Per protocol, the investigation of the deputy-involved shooting will be handled by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office,” states the release. “Deputies in Lake Forest are equipped with body-worn cameras. Footage from the incident will be released in accordance with the law and in consultation with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.”
