FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – Officers of the Santa Ana Police Department were investigating a child molestation case when they were involved in a fatal encounter with a suspect during a struggle for a handgun at an apartment complex in Fountain Valley, authorities said Tuesday.
Santa Ana officers went to the apartment in the 10300 block of La Hacienda Avenue in Fountain Valley at about 10:50 p.m. Monday to contact a man being sought in connection with a molestation case, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna. The city of Santa Ana borders Fountain Valley.
His mother opened the door and let police inside. At that point, the man tried to flee, Bertagna said, according to the Los Angeles Times.
As a result, officers chased the suspect and noticed he was carrying a gun, according to Bertagna. There apparently was a struggle for the weapon, at which point police opened fire, striking the man at least once, authorities said.
After officers rendered aid at the scene, the man was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police did not immediately provide information about the child molestation case.
The Fountain Valley Police Department and the Orange County District Attorney’s office also responded to investigate the shooting, Bertagna said.
