Police Fatally Shoot Burglary Suspect During Struggle Inside Rite Aid
FOUNTAIN VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — A man who allegedly broke into a Rite Aid early Sunday was fatally shot by officers responding to the scene.
An employee was inside the drugstore around 4 a.m. when the man broke the glass to get inside. That worker called 911, Fountain Valley police report.
Police say they arrived to find the glass storefront shattered and the suspect inside standing on a ladder.
Officers "made contact" with the man. When they tried to take him into custody he allegedly struggled and officers deployed a service dog to take control of him. During the altercation, the man bit an officer on the arm and grabbed another officer's handgun, police report.
The officer who reportedly was bitten fired a single shot at the suspect, ending the struggle.
Officers performed CPR on the suspect and called for paramedics.
The burglary suspect was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Police say they'll release the man's identity after notifying relatives.
Apart from the officer who suffered the bite wound, another officer suffered a minor injury to his hand.
The Orange County District Attorney is investigating the shooting, which police say is standard practice for these circumstances.
