ANAHEIM -- An off-duty police officer shot an agitated man who attacked him while he and his young daughter were in a fast restaurant in Anaheim, a police official said.
The incident occurred just before 4:00 p.m. Sunday in the Del Taco restaurant at Rio Vista Street and Lincoln Street, according to Sgt. Rick Martinez of the Anaheim Police Department.
An off duty police officer and his 6-year old daughter walked into the restaurant to get something to eat, and the officer noticed an "agitated" man walking in and out of the building.
Witnesses said the 39-year-old man had been walking around the shopping center parking lot and talking to himself before he went into the Del Taco and said something, either to himself or an employee, then walked back out.
The officer and his daughter were leaving the restaurant when the man was reentering, and he attacked the officer, Martinez said.
"He cornered the officer and continued beating him," Martinez said. "Witnesses said the officer did everything he could, and at that point the officer fired."
When Anaheim police arrived, they found the suspect shot and the officer with injuries to his face, hands and other areas of his body.
The suspect was taken to UCI Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The officer involved was taken to a local hospital and was treated for a broken rib and possibly a broken jaw. His injuries are described as non-life threatening.
The officer's 6-year old daughter was not hurt and is currently with family members.
The officer is a 10-year veteran of the Gardena Police Department.
Anaheim and Gardena police are investigating the shooting.
The incident occurred just before 4:00 p.m. Sunday in the Del Taco restaurant at Rio Vista Street and Lincoln Street, according to Sgt. Rick Martinez of the Anaheim Police Department.
An off duty police officer and his 6-year old daughter walked into the restaurant to get something to eat, and the officer noticed an "agitated" man walking in and out of the building.
Witnesses said the 39-year-old man had been walking around the shopping center parking lot and talking to himself before he went into the Del Taco and said something, either to himself or an employee, then walked back out.
The officer and his daughter were leaving the restaurant when the man was reentering, and he attacked the officer, Martinez said.
"He cornered the officer and continued beating him," Martinez said. "Witnesses said the officer did everything he could, and at that point the officer fired."
When Anaheim police arrived, they found the suspect shot and the officer with injuries to his face, hands and other areas of his body.
The suspect was taken to UCI Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The officer involved was taken to a local hospital and was treated for a broken rib and possibly a broken jaw. His injuries are described as non-life threatening.
The officer's 6-year old daughter was not hurt and is currently with family members.
The officer is a 10-year veteran of the Gardena Police Department.
Anaheim and Gardena police are investigating the shooting.
