By Matthew Cabe
Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.
ADELANTO, Calif. — A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department deputy was shot early Thursday during a confrontation at an apartment complex here.
Deputy Robert B. Jahn, 45, was shot in the stomach just after 1 a.m. at the Raintree Apartments on Bellflower Street, according to Sheriff John McMahon. Jahn was taken by helicopter to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Cindy Bachman said.
A vigil for Jahn will be held at 6:30 p.m. outside Adelanto City Hall, at 11600 Air Expressway.
Jahn was out of surgery and in critical but stable condition, according to McMahon, who briefed reporters outside the hospital shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday’s was the third incident in the last two weeks where deputies were fired upon, he said.
“There are some dangerous people on the street,” McMahon said.
Two 26-year-old suspects from Los Angeles, Nicholas Ruiz and Larry Carino, were arrested at the scene. McMahon said a handgun was recovered inside the apartment.
Jahn and a partner were conducting a traffic stop near Bellflower Street when they heard gunshots nearby, Bachman said. Jahn was shot as he approached the apartment. McMahon said he believed the shots came from inside the apartment. No one else was injured, he said.
“The deputies on scene did an incredible job getting Deputy Jahn out of the line of fire,” he said.
Jahn has been with the Sheriff’s Department for five years. He has been assigned to the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station in Adelanto for two years.
In a statement, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Employee Benefit Association union, which represents about 3,500 public safety employees, said “our whole-hearted support is behind our deputy who was shot early this morning. We are praying for complete healing and trust he is receiving the best medical care.”
Adelanto Mayor Rich Kerr said he wished the deputy a speedy recovery.
“The attack shows that our deputies face danger every day,” Kerr said, “yet in the face of danger they willingly serve our community every day with courage and dedication to help make it safer.”
Assemblyman Jay Obernolte and state Senator Scott Wilk, who both represent the High Desert in the state Legislature, offered their best wishes for a speedy recovery for Jahn.
“I was extremely saddened to hear that a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy, Robert Jahn, was shot in Adelanto early this morning,” said Obernolte, R-Hesperia. “This senseless act of violence against our deputy is disheartening. I have the upmost respect and admiration for our law enforcement community who risk their lives daily to serve and protect the public. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
“My wife Vanessa and I hope and pray that Deputy Jahn will have a full and speedy recovery,” said Wilk, R-Santa Clarita. “Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day and tragedies, such as this shooting, are difficult to understand. Our thoughts are with his family and the San Bernardino law enforcement community during this time.”
©2018 Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.