Shooting began with mother seeking help with abusive son

The incident that led to the wounding of two San Diego County sheriff's deputies began when a mother reported that her 22-year-old son had stormed into her home and was angry that she had taken out a restraining order against him, officials said Wednesday night.

The mother told deputies that her son had left the home in the Leucadia neighborhood of Encinitas after stealing her car, according to Capt. Duncan Fraser. Hours later, about 3 p.m. Wednesday, she called back to say that the son had returned to the home.

Arriving at the home, deputies tried to talk the son into leaving the house. When he refused, they used tear gas but he responded by opening fire, wounding two deputies, Fraser said.

One deputy was struck in the leg, the other received a grazing wound to the head. The former underwent surgery and is listed in stable condition; the other was treated released.

The Sheriff's Department SWAT team, aided by officers from the Carlsbad and Oceanside police departments, have the home surrounded and are in contact with the 22-year-old, Fraser said. Nine surrounding homes have been evacuated, with residents taken to a community center where the Red Cross is providing assistance.

At a news conference, streamed by San Diego television, Fraser called on the suspect to give up with no more gunfire. "We want this to end peacefully," he said.

The suspect's mother is not in the house, Fraser said. Sheriff's deputies have had dealings with the suspect in the past, he added.

At an earlier briefing, Sheriff Bill Gore said he is confident both wounded deputies will recover fully.

"It's been a dark few weeks for all law enforcement in Southern California," Gore said, referring to the case of fired Los Angeles Police Officer Christopher Dorner, who is suspected of killing four people, including an officer from the Riverside Police Department and a deputy from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Dorner died last week after being cornered by officers in a cabin in the Big Bear area.

ALSO:

 O.C. shootings: Listen to frantic 911 call

Hollywood Park Casino might lay off all 600 workers

San Diego sheriff confident 2 wounded deputies will fully recover

--Tony Perry in San Diego