OC deputies shoot armed man in Lake Forest after domestic disturbance call

Orange County Sheriff's deputies shot and critically wounded an armed man in Lake Forest early Friday after he walked toward them while brandishing a gun and a knife, the Orange County Sheriff's Department said.

The encounter, which escalated from a domestic disturbance call in neighboring Rancho Mission Viejo into an armed confrontation 18 miles away, is the latest officer-involved shooting to draw scrutiny in Orange County. No deputies were injured.

Deputies responded around 2:30 a.m. to a 911 call in Rancho Mission Viejo after the boyfriend of the armed man's ex-girlfriend reported a disturbance outside their home, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department. When deputies arrived, the suspect had already left the area.

Less than 90 minutes later, authorities located the man approximately 18 miles away in Lake Forest, near the 21000 block of Rimgate Drive, south of Lake Forest Drive, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

As deputies approached, the suspect drove away, leading to a brief vehicle pursuit. He eventually stopped and stepped out of his vehicle while carrying both a firearm and a knife.

The man then walked toward the deputies. Officers opened fire, critically wounding him. He was transported to a hospital and remained in critical condition, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Sgt. Gerad McCann of the Orange County Sheriff's Department is overseeing the investigation. The suspect's identity has not been released. The ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend were not injured during the incident.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is investigating the shooting under standard procedures that apply to all deputy-involved uses of force.