Pacoima Assault Suspect Shot By Police After Throwing Dirt In Officer's Face

PACOIMA (CBSLA.com) – Police shot and wounded an assault suspect following a foot pursuit in Pacoima Wednesday night in which the suspect threw dirt into the face of an officer, authorities said.

At around 5:30 p.m., San Fernando police officers responded to a 911 call about a Hispanic man who had assaulted several customers at a strip mall in the 12900 Foothill Boulevard.

Officers were initially unable to locate the man, but after canvassing the area located him at Dronfield Avenue, just south of Arroyo Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

While trying to apprehend him, he ran and a chase ensued. During the foot pursuit, he went into an alley in the 12900 block of Corcoran Place, picked up some dirt, and threw it into the face of one of the pursuing officers, temporarily blinding him, the sheriff's department said. He then picked up a brick.

A second officer, fearing that the suspect would throw the brick at the blinded officer, fired a shot at the suspect, hitting him in the upper torso.

The man was treated at the scene and then taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition, LASD reports. He was not identified.

Sheriff's detectives are assisting San Fernando police in the investigation. Anyone with information on the incident should call LASD at 323-890-5500.