Suspect Shot, Wounded by Sheriff's Deputy in Van Nuys

VAN NUYS, CA -- A man who allegedly pulled a gun on a deputy investigating apparent drug use was wounded Monday in a deputy-involved shooting in Van Nuys.

The shooting occurred about 2:45 p.m. in the 7300 block of Van Nuys Boulevard, near Sherman Way, according to Deputy Kimberly Alexander of the Sheriff's Information Bureau.

A deputy with the sheriff's Transit Policing Division was having lunch when he saw a group of men sitting on a patio at the location and saw at least one of them using drugs, Alexander said.

"The deputy walked outside and two of the male Hispanics walked away northbound and out of view," Alexander said. "The deputy detained the other two male Hispanics and conducted a weapons pat down of the first male.

As he was patting down the second male that suspect then produced a handgun and a deputy-involved shooting occurred."

The suspect was struck by gunfire and was taken to a hospital where he was in serious condition, Alexander said.

The deputy was uninjured.

"A handgun believed to be possessed by the suspect was recovered at the scene," Alexander said.

-- City News Service, photo via Shutterstock