Bounty hunter shoots man in Sun Valley [UPDATED]

[Updated 10:50 p.m.]

Three bounty hunters were involved in a shooting after they tried to arrest a suspect in Sun Valley who was wanted in connection with a misdemeanor DUI arrest, police said.

The shooting occurred at 9:57 p.m. in the 8200 block of Marmay Place, said Officer Karen Rayner of the Los Angeles Police Department. She said the man was shot once in the left thigh and did not appear to be seriously wounded.

The bounty hunters, armed with guns, arrived at the home near the 5 Freeway to  arrest the man. He apparently grabbed one of the guns during the scuffle, Rayner said.

"The bounty hunter had his weapon taken away, and his partner fired a least one shot at the suspect," Rayner said.

Officers were at the scene investigating. The bounty hunters and suspects were not identified.

-- Robert J. Lopez

Comments

[Robert Kaiser]

I hope these individuals were licensed to carry firearms in liberal anti gun state of california. As a former bounty hunter, every case is different and sometimes the unexpected happens and you have to react accordingly. Lets gather all the facts first before passing judgement.

[lauro]

Get your facts straight the bounty hunter did NOT get his gun taken away the suspect TRIED to take the gun away and they got in a struggle to take possetion of the gun and it accidently discharged hiting the suspect in the left thigh

[Helen]

I think they did a great job, Its every Bondsmans nightmare to have to deal with a forfeiture and bring the fugitive back to justice .
GREAT JOB GUYS ....KUDOS

[Zeke Unger]

What many fail to understand is that bounty hunters track and apprehend known fugitives. These people are running from the justice system, and will do whatever it takes to remain free, including killing law enforcement officers and bounty hunters. This agent was acting, clearly, within the scope of California Penal Code section 1299 PC and federal law statute Taintor vs. Taylor. A bounty hunter arrest is exactly like a re-arrest of a fleeing prisoner by a sheriff. Sworn officers have shoot-outs every day, just as part of the job. Nice work, Bounty Hunter!

[Richard Lee "Rhino" James]

This is why I don't use firearms when I'm bounty hunting. I hunt in Texas. We're allowed to use weapons to capture perps, but I've seen too many cops killed when their own weapon was turned on them. I'd rather be Tasered than shot. I prefer non-lethal weapons.