Officers Wound Man Who Wielded Toy Gun
A Sylmar man was shot and critically wounded by a police officer Tuesday after pointing a toy gun at officers, Los Angeles police said.
Joe Yudico, 25, was in critical condition at Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills after surgery for a chest wound, authorities said.
After drinking beer for several hours, Yudico--despondent over breaking up with his girlfriend--threatened a family friend, Ronald Nunez, 40, with a knife, Sgt. Sid Nuckles said.
Yudico’s mother, who was home at the time, called police. When officers arrived, they had to kick in the front door of the house in the 14300 block of Herron Street, Nuckles said.
At that point, Nunez reached for the knife, and he and Yudico scuffled, Nuckles said. Officer Steven Muldorfer, 41, fired his stun gun, striking Yudico in the right shoulder, Nuckles said.
Officers said Yudico then drew what appeared to be an automatic handgun. Officer Philip Booth, thinking the gun was real, fired his 9-millimeter Beretta and hit Yudico in the left side of the chest, Nuckles said.
Yudico’s gun turned out to be a toy.
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