One reported dead, three injured in shooting near polling place in California; Officers pinned down by gunfire

Police are responding to an active shooting in Azusa. (KTLA-TV Channel 5)

From the Lone Star Liberty News Desk
via LATIMES

One person was killed and at least three others were wounded Tuesday in an active shooting near a polling place in Azusa.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Capt. Jeff Scroggin said police were dealing with at least one suspect who was heavily armed.

At least one of the victims was headed to the polling station to vote, a law enforcement source told The Times.

Officers arrived to find a man with a rifle. The gunman immediately fired at least 20 shots at police, said the source.

Under a hail of gunfire, officers took cover and returned shots at the man, who retreated into a home in the 500 block of Fourth Street, said the source, who requested anonymity because the case was ongoing. No officers were injured in the shooting.

Officers had the shooter surrounded, and were evacuating the area, the source said.

Few details were officially released about the shooting, which occurred sometime after 2 p.m. in a residential neighborhood in the area of Fourth Street and Orange Avenue, said Officer Jerry Willison of the Azusa Police Department.

“This is a very volatile and critical situation,” he said.

Roberto Chavez, 67, and his wife were sitting outside on their porch when they saw a heavily armed man fire at least 10 rounds at group of people.

Police quickly responded, Chavez said. About 20 officers swarmed into the neighborhood in the 600 block of West Fourth Street, he said

 

The gunman, who wore a white shirt and black pants, ran into a home about three doors down from Chavez’s house, he said.

Chavez said he recognized the man as someone who frequently visits and hangs out at his neighbor’s home. He didn’t know the man’s name. He said some of the victims appeared to be neighbors in the area.

Police told him to remain indoors because the gunman had barricaded himself inside a home.

“It’s a very dangerous situation,” he said.

It was unclear whether any officers were injured in the shooting, Willison said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was assisting police.

Azusa Union School District issued a lockdown for Slauson Middle and Mountain View Elementary schools about 2:15 p.m., officials said. A nearby daycare center and preschool was also locked down.

Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan said the shooting was affecting two polling stations at Memorial Park, a preschool, and Dalton Elementary school.

He urged voters to avoid the area and “if necessary, cast a ballot at an alternate polling location.”