The man who authorities said was captured on surveillance footage shooting an off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy in the head in a Jack in the Box in Alhambra, Calif. on June 10, 2019. Los Angeles County Sheriff Department
An off-duty law enforcement officer was shot in the head at a fast food restaurant in California, officials said.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy was at the counter in a Jack in the Box in Alhambra on June 10 when a man walked up and shot him in the head.
The gunman ran out of the restaurant after the shooting, which took place around 6 p.m. and was captured on surveillance footage, sheriff Capt. Kent Wegener told reporters. Officials don’t know what motivated the shooting.
“There is no audio in the video, so we don’t know if words were exchanged,” Wegener said, reported the Pasadena Star-News. “He was off-duty in civilian clothes. There was nothing that would indicate that he was a law enforcement officer. He wasn’t wearing uniform pants. He wasn’t wearing uniform shoes. He did not have a holster or identification exposed. He was off-duty.”
The gunman was spotted driving from the scene of the shooting in a white four-door Kia Sorento SUV with temporary paper license plates.
Surveillance footage obtained from a house near the restaurant showed the man stop the car, change out of his clothes, a red shirt, blue jeans, a light fedora hat, and sunglasses, into a black t-shirt and dark jeans, before getting back into the same car and driving away, according to KTLA.
The gunman was described as a white or Latino male in his 20s, standing around 5 feet 10 inches tall.
The man who authorities said was captured on surveillance footage shooting an off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy in the head in a Jack in the Box in Alhambra, Calif. on June 10, 2019. Los Angeles County Sheriff Department
The vehicle the man who authorities said was captured on surveillance footage shooting an off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy got in after the shooting on June 10, 2019. Los Angeles County Sheriff Department
Officials said anyone associated with the gunman should call the police.
“It’s time to turn him in,” Wegener said. “You don’t want to be associated with this man. The Sheriff’s Department is going to spare no resources to locate this suspect.”
The deputy who was shot, who was not in uniform when he was ambushed, is a 13-year veteran of the department, reported the Los Angeles Times. The deputy was rushed to County-USC Medical Center and was in critical condition.
Anyone with information was encouraged to call homicide detectives at 323-890-5500. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. People can also submit tips via the LA Crime Stoppers website.
