Santa Ana police shoot, kill suspected gang member

Santa Ana police fatally shot an 18-year-old suspected gang member Sunday afternoon after he confronted them with a knife, authorities said.

Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department said two gang detectives were driving through the man’s neighborhood, looking for him in connection with a probation violation involving weapons, when he ran to his home in the 1100 block of South Shelton Street.

When the man, who police did not identify, opened his gate, the officers were attacked by a pit bull. Bertagna said the police fatally shot the pit bull and then were told by a neighbor that the man was hiding a few doors down.

When they found him in a backyard shed, he fled again into another house. Confronted there, Bertagna said, “He came at the officers with the knife and they had to shoot him.” He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The identity of the officers was not released. Bertagna said the shooting, which occurred at 4:40 p.m, was under investigation by the Orange County district attorney’s office and his department.

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--Bettina Boxall

Comments

[D.B. Cooper]

Wow..straight gunfighters. Engaged multiple targets...and came out alive. im glad the officers are okay!!!

[Becky]

OC Reg is reporting that Bertagna said a weapon was found near the suspect's body, but they don't know what it was. Sounds like he needs to get his story straight.

[TAylor]

I just don't undestand why a trained official cant seem to hit a kid in the leg and bring him down. He had a knife ... not a semi automatic .. GEEEEZ

[lisa]

They always say there was a knife or weapon near the body. I doubt it.

[oldtimer]

I am saddened to hear that the police had to kill a dog.

[Jeff]

Can we get a running total icon that's attached to these articles that shows how many people the police have killed in LA so far this year? Maybe it could show how many were shot but live too.

[AB]

Do police officers have to shoot to kill? How about aiming for a leg, or shoulder, or something. Seems so excessive to shoot someone with a knife.

[Just]

Lisa, I hope you are never assaulted or threatened by someone with a gun or knife. Hope you will never need the assistance of law enforcement..

[woof-woof]

"I just don't undestand why a trained official cant seem to hit a kid in the leg and bring him down. He had a knife ... not a semi automatic .. GEEEEZ"

This isn't a movie. In real life, this is nearly impossible. In close quarters, even if you hit the charging man in the leg, he could still kill you with his knife. Police officers can't hesitate, or they end up like Mohamed Ahmed.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-deputy-shot-20110113,0,6402933.story

If you want to blame someone, blame the guy who attacked our official representatives and protectors first with a pit bull and then with a knife.

[Maryjane]

I just don't undestand why a trained official cant seem to hit a kid in the leg and bring him down. He had a knife ... not a semi automatic .. GEEEEZ

I agree, there is also a lack of info in this report, it does seem like someone needs to get their story straight.

[Hypatia]

No, they did NOT "have to shoot him". Same old, same old. Trigger-happy cops. They get away with murder every day.

[u know]

lisa

you're probably right, gang bangers have never been known to carry weapons....

[Danny Stark]

TAylor:
It's called necessary lethal force. When an officer opts to use his sidearm, he has made a decision to end the life of an aggressor. It means that if an officer doesn't bring this threat to a sudden stop, he, his partner, or innocent bystanders are in imminent danger of being killed themselves. The officer would never take the risk of trying to wound in this case. Only in the movies do they shoot someone in the leg or shoulder. Do you realize how fast the blade of a knife can end a life. Just an incidental slash or jab in the midst of a scuffle can pierce a vital organ or leave an officer bleeding out on the ground. Why would you ask him to take that chance? Rule of thumb. Don't attack a police officer if you don't want to get hurt. They have families, too.

[Robert]

In response to Taylor's comment - I would think that officers would shoot at the biggest target, which would be the body. The leg is not even half the size of the body. If someone is coming at you with a knife and you try to shoot the leg, what happens if you miss? Do you think the person is going to stop coming at you? Good luck to you if you ever find yourself in the position of having to defend your life. Generally speaking, if someone is coming at you with a weapon, they want to do more than just slightly injure you. Too much is expected of law enforcement these days and not enough responsibility is being placed on the people who cause the problem in the first place.

[Ricky]

I agree with Taylor, if you see a man coming at you with a knife, the least you can do is aim for the legs or even shoulders for that matter. It does not have to end fatally every time with these incidents.

[antyfed]

aim at a "running leg?" obviously, you've never be threatened with bodily harm. have you ever heard of "shoot to kill?" that's what officers do when their lives are threatened. the torso is a higher percentage shot than aiming at a "moving leg" and they were detectives, not patrol officers who are better equipped to subdue a suspect with stun guns, rubber pellets etc.

[sal]

Taylor shoot him in the leg lol...your such a civilian you think he would have stabbed officers in the leg or arm. Let him stab you a few times in your chest see what happens. GeeeZ!

[Henry]

@TAylor

This is real life, not the movies. There have been numerous real incidents in the past where even a fatally wounded subject has continued to fight for minutes more and kill officers or others. The famous FBI shootout in Miami 1986 claimed the lives of two special agents even after fatal wounds were dealt. This is why nobody, not cops and not soldiers, is ever taught to "shoot to wound." A knife is considered a fatally dangerous weapon. A deep cut into an artery and you're as good as dead if ambulances don't get there ASAP. These officers seem to have pursued this suspect continuously; if he didn't surrender the first few times, he was not intending to surrender at all. They did the right thing and deserve our respect and commendation.

[Jmlkiwi]

What ever Lisa, you keep doubting.

[CaliPHOBE]

Glad they got him. No expenditures for prosecution or incarceration. No continued life of crime, preying on innocent citizens. Good job SAPD ! !

[u know]

How come no one ever asks "How come the gang banger had to go after the cops with a knife"?

I imagine the one's who are are bashing the cops and defending the gang banger are criminals themselves.

[todd sputnik]

Came at them with a knife, huh? Oh yeah. Sure.

[MoNyR]

you guys always give the they deserve wat they had coming yippie for the police..u guys dont even understand some gangmember just try to live and the police always try to hunt them down sometimes for no reason and killin them,,wont they suppose to check him bout his probation violation only???

[JOHNNY R SUPERSTAR]

mony r it is hard to understand a 'gangmember just try to live' and it is hard to understand you.

[Bill]

"I just don't undestand why a trained official cant seem to hit a kid in the leg"

That's because real life is not like a video game or TV show. Shooting at a moving limb is much more difficult than body mass. Plus, you shoot him in the leg, he can still attack you with his weapon.

Armchair "experts" have no business criticizing well trained, professional police officers. Thank God those men and women in blue and khaki put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe from gangbanger criminals.