By Richard Brooks
The Press Enterprise
A deputy shot and wounded a domestic violence suspect who was holding a knife to a baby’s throat, sheriff’s officials say.
Deputies were summoned at 10:57 p.m. Saturday, July 21, to Ella Avenue by a woman who reported that her boyfriend was holding a knife at her child’s throat and she feared he would harm the baby, Deputy Robert Martinez said in a written statement.
“An officer repeatedly ordered the suspect to drop the knife, but he did not comply,” according to the statement. “Fearing for the child’s life, an officer fired his duty weapon, striking the suspect.
“Assisting officers were able to rescue the child and rendered aid for serious injuries caused by the suspect. The child was transported to a local hospital for treatment.”
The suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. His name has not been released.
At mid-morning Sunday, yellow police tape continued to cordon off all of the 22400 block of Ella Avenue between Ellsworth Street and Phyllis Avenue. A white-and-blue motor home outfitted as the city’s mobile command center was parked along Ella Avenue along with at least three patrol cars.
A block away, neighbors said they still didn’t know exactly what had happened.
“I was watching TV,” recalled Yadira Tovar of nearby Bertie Avenue. “I heard about five gunshots.”
That was her first indication of trouble.
“We didn’t hear no arguing or anything,” said Tovar, whose backyard looks north across Ella Avenue to the green-trimmed white garage of the house where she later saw police activity.
Sheriff’s officials have released no information about the baby’s injuries or an updated condition.
Copyright 2012 The Press Enterprise, Inc.