Alpine

An 18-year-old man was seriously injured Tuesday when he was shot in the back by a sheriff’s deputy who thought he was carrying a weapon, authorities said.

A San Diego County Sheriff’s Department spokesman was uncertain what it was the man was carrying, but added that several knives and a baseball bat were found at the scene, where deputies had found two vehicles that had been reported stolen.

William E. Baker Jr., of the 1500 block of Tavern Road, was listed in serious condition at Sharp Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound to the lower back, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Sheriff’s deputies were drawn to the area after Deputy Leon Hawkins saw a motor home that had been reported stolen.

A spokesman said Hawkins requested additional assistance and was met by Deputy Al Garcia at the Tavern Road apartment complex. The two then found a Toyota pickup truck that had also been reported stolen.

While they stood outside the door to the motor home, a spokesman said, Baker “suddenly and rapidly” charged out the door, holding in his hand what Garcia thought was a weapon.

According to Lt. Bill Baxter, Garcia immediately fired once, striking Baker in the back.

Hawkins and Garcia have been placed on administrative leave while the homicide unit conducts an investigation.

Baker, an 18-year-old woman and a juvenile will not be charged with any crime, a spokesman said.