An off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy is in grave condition after being shot in the head at a Jack In The Box in Alhambra, Calif., a suburb east of Los Angeles.
Police said a gunman walked behind the deputy, who was in civilian clothing and waiting for his meal in the fast-food restaurant late Monday afternoon, and shot him once in the back of the head.
The suspect fled in a Kia Sorento SUV and investigators believe he changed clothes in a nearby neighborhood. Police released photos from surveillance cameras of the suspect and his vehicle and, by Tuesday afternoon, announced they had detained a person of interest.
**Suspect and Suspect Vehicle Photo** #LASD Homicide Det assist @AlhambraPolice w/shooting of off-duty deputy, 2500 block W. Valley Blvd, Alhambra https://t.co/EVQmAVx1QO pic.twitter.com/jB4JPtxUuK
— LA County Sheriff’s (@LASDHQ) June 11, 2019
The deputy was identified as Joseph Solano, a 13-year veteran of the force. He was brought to the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, and police said in a tweet Tuesday afternoon that he is on life support.
“He was getting an oil change for his ill mother’s vehicle, when he was shot,” said a tweet from the LA County Sheriff’s Department.
Please keep #LASD Deputy Joseph Solano & his family in your prayers. His current medical condition is listed as grave & on life support. He was getting an oil change for his ill mother’s vehicle, when he was shot. pic.twitter.com/4Dtz8eVdcW
— LA County Sheriff’s (@LASDHQ) June 11, 2019
Jack in the Box employee Jesus Guzman told CBS Los Angeles what happened when he heard the gunshot. “I go lean over and I see, I think he got shot in the head because there was a hole in his head,” Guzman said. “I was actually sitting down in the break room when all I heard was a loud bang,”
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to establish a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the gunman. The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs pledged another $50,000.
“Whomever carried out this cowardly attack; we won’t rest until we find you and ensure justice is brought swiftly upon you,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a tweet.
