A Westminster police officer shot a vandalism suspect armed with a pipe

WESTMINSTER, CA – On December 24, 2022, at about 12:57 AM, Westminster police officers responded to the 9100 block of Bolsa Avenue reference a possible vandalism.

Officers located the suspect, who was armed with a metal pipe. Officers attempted de-escalation tactics, but the suspect refused to drop the pipe. A less lethal option (Taser) was attempted but was unsuccessful.

The suspect attempted to strike officers with the pipe and an officer involved shooting occurred. Officers immediately rendered medical aid to the suspect and he was transported to a local hospital in critical but stable condition. There were no officers injured in the incident. A metal pipe was recovered at the scene.

WPD detectives and investigators from the Orange County District Attorney’s office responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

Westminster police urges anyone with additional information, surveillance video, or who may have witnessed these crimes, to contact the Westminster Police Department at 714-548-4570, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS or by logging on to www.occrimestoppers.org. Callers can remain anonymous.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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