At a Glance
- An off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy traded gunfire with a vehicle-burglary suspect in Whittier.
- The confrontation began when a homeowner interrupted the break-in around 9 p.m. Tuesday.
- No one was injured; the suspect escaped and has not been described publicly.
- Why it matters: The incident highlights the risks of off-duty deputies intervening in crimes and the department’s automatic review process after any shooting.
An off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy exchanged gunfire Tuesday night with a would-be car burglar in Whittier, according to police and the department. The suspect fled and remains at large.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Whittier Police said the incident began when a homeowner spotted someone trying to break into a vehicle. The homeowner confronted the suspect, prompting the off-duty deputy-identified only as a department employee-to intervene.
During the confrontation, both the deputy and the suspect fired shots, Whittier Police told News Of Los Angeles. The burglar then ran from the scene.
Official Response and Next Steps
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed its off-duty employee was involved. Psychological services were offered to the deputy following the shooting.
No injuries were reported.
A description of the burglar was not immediately available.
LASD policy requires an automatic review:
- The criminal investigation will be completed first.
- The department’s Executive Force Review Committee will then examine whether any policies were violated.
“As with any shooting, once the criminal investigation is adjudicated, the Department’s Executive Force Review Committee will evaluate the shooting to determine if any Department policies were violated,” LASD said in a statement. “The Department takes all acts of violence and threats against our personnel, both on and off-duty, with the utmost concern.”
Key Takeaways
- The incident occurred around 9 p.m. Tuesday in Whittier.
- An off-duty sheriff’s deputy intervened during an auto burglary.
- Gunfire was exchanged, but no one was hit.
- The suspect escaped and has not been identified.
- LASD will conduct both criminal and administrative reviews.
