Burglary Suspect Slain; Officer Wearing Vest Survives Shooting
A burglary suspect was shot and killed by a Huntington Beach police officer after the suspect opened fire with a submachine gun, hitting the officer, who was wearing a bullet-proof vest, in the chest, authorities said Sunday. The policeman was not seriously injured.
A second suspect escaped and several blocks of Pacific Coast Highway in downtown Huntington Beach were closed to traffic Sunday morning while police searched for him.
The dead man, who police said was 30 to 35 years old, carried no identification.
Police said the shoot-out occurred Saturday night when Sgt. Ed Deuel, responding to a silent burglar alarm call, confronted two suspects at the Things for Your Head shop near Main Street in Huntington Beach.
One of the suspects reportedly opened fire with a .45-caliber submachine gun from a distance of less than 20 feet, striking the officer. Deuel returned fire and fatally wounded the man.
Deuel and the second suspect exchanged shots, and the man fled on foot. He is believed to have used a sawed-off shotgun.
Deuel suffered minor injuries from the impact of the rounds.
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