LAPD officer shot in hand in Pacoima
A 27-year-old LAPD officer has been released from the hospital after he was shot in the hand in Pacoima while responding to an alleged restraining order violation. The suspect has been arrested.
LOS ANGELES – A 27-year-old LAPD officer has been released from a hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to his hand inflicted by a polymer pistol, also known as a ghost gun, authorities said Saturday.
The shooting happened around 8:20 a.m. Friday, shortly after officers responded to a residence in the 13200 block of Paxton Street in Pacoima regarding a report of a restraining order violation, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.
Arriving officers were directed to a back house on the property and confronted 52-year-old Pete Garcia, who was inside. Garcia refused officers’ orders to step out of the location, according to police. A struggle began as officers attempted to restrain Garcia. At some point in the encounter, a Taser was deployed with no effect, police said.
LAPD officer shot in Pacoima
PREVIOUS: The officer was allegedly responding to a domestic violence incident.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: LAPD officer shot in Pacoima
“During the struggle, Garcia produced a pistol from his front waistband area and pointed it in the officers’ direction,” according to a police statement. “Simultaneously, one of the officers tased Garcia. Garcia then fired one round from his pistol at the officers, resulting in an officer-involved shooting.”
Police said it was later determined that the officer’s injury was `likely caused by a round fired by Garcia that impacted a metal bed frame and the ricocheted fragments struck and impaled the officer’s hand.
Garcia was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder, later transported to a hospital for unrelated medical issues and was being held in lieu of $2,080,000 bail. The ghost gun was recovered, police said.