Deputy Shoots, Injures Knife-Wielding Man Near Azusa May 20

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

CITRUS - The man shot and wounded by a deputy Wednesday afternoon allegedly attempted to kill himself with a three-inch knife before advancing on a deputy.

The confrontation and shooting occurred in the 5500 block of Orangecrest Avenue in unincorporated Azusa May 20. Deputies were called to a reported suicide attempt, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The shooting occurred just before 3:30 p.m.

“Deputies arrived on scene at which point an adult male, armed with a knife, exited a side gate of the residence. The male refused to comply with any orders given by deputy personnel to surrender the knife and subsequently charged at the nearest deputy situated near a patrol vehicle,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in a written statement. “A deputy involved shooting occurred and the male was struck by gunfire.”

The suspect was hospitalized and last listed in critical condition.

The Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and Sheriff's Internal Affairs Bureau are investigating.

The Office of the Inspector General will provide independent oversight throughout the investigation, while details regarding the shooting are reviewed by the Sheriff's Executive Force Review Committee with input provided by the Constitutional Policing Advisors. 

At the end of the investigation, a preliminary review is conducted by the Critical Incident Review Panel to determine if immediate action is warranted.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Justice System Integrity Division, conducts a legal analysis to determine if criminal charges will be filed and if the shooting was legally justified. 

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