A quiet Whittier neighborhood turned into an active crime scene Tuesday night after a homeowner confronted someone trying to break into a parked car and an off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy ended up exchanging gunfire with the suspected burglar. The incident was reported at about 9 p.m., and authorities said no one was injured. The suspect took off, and police did not immediately release any description.
How The Confrontation Unfolded
Police told NBC Los Angeles that the trouble started when the homeowner interrupted an auto burglary in progress. That confrontation escalated, and shots were fired. According to the same report, an off-duty sheriff’s deputy, who has not been publicly identified, became involved before the suspect fled after the brief exchange of gunfire. Responding officers later combed the area but found no one with gunshot wounds.
LASD Response And Internal Review
Under procedures outlined on the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department website, any deputy-involved shooting triggers parallel criminal and administrative investigations. Those cases are ultimately reviewed by the Department’s Executive Force Review Committee to determine whether policies were followed.
The department also told NBC Los Angeles it had offered psychological services to the off-duty employee involved in the shooting, adding, “The Department takes all acts of violence and threats against our personnel, both on and off-duty, with the utmost concern.”
What Neighbors Should Know
With no suspect description released and the case still under active investigation, residents are being nudged to go back to basics when it comes to crime prevention. Whittier police are reminding neighbors to lock up their vehicles, stash valuables out of sight and quickly report any suspicious activity. Crime-prevention tips and resources are listed on the Whittier Police Department website…