Armed, off-duty sheriff's deputy fatally shot by police in Southern California

Doc Louallen, USA TODAY
·2 min read
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An off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy has been shot and killed by police after they say he pointed a gun at them on a golf course in Southern California.

Fontana Police said in a news release that the off-duty officer, later identified as 45-year-old Alejandro Diaz, pointed a gun at them on Tuesday afternoon at Sierra Lakes Golf Club course in Fontana, about an hour east of Los Angeles.

Officers had responded to the scene after getting a report of shots fired in a home in the area. Police believe Diaz fired the shots in the home before leaving the scene with two handguns and going to the golf course, where they found him.

Officers said they tried talking to Diaz but that he pointed a gun at them. Multiple officers then fired at Diaz, who was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

No one else was hurt.

"The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is deeply saddened to hear of the tragic shooting incident involving our off-duty deputy who passed away," the agency said in a statement. "We are in close communication with Fontana Police Department and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department as they conduct their ongoing investigation. This incident is extremely difficult for the family, our personnel, and the officers involved."

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The president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, the agency's union, expressed his sadness in a statement sent to USA TODAY on Wednesday.

"This is an absolute tragedy for our deputy, his family, the first responders, civilians present and everyone impacted," Richard Pippen said. "ALADS is not shy about urging any person facing mental health issues to reach out for professional help and in our support for growing mental health networks within our community."

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the shooting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Armed, off-duty sheriff's deputy fatally shot by police in California