Officer Wounds Woman With Gun

A police officer shot a Hollywood woman who had been chasing some burglars early Tuesday when she ignored the officer’s orders and reached for a pistol in her waistband, according to Los Angeles police.

Detectives said the 35-year-old woman, her husband and son had armed themselves and dashed into the street to chase some people they had seen breaking into their car. The burglars escaped, but moments later police, responding to a “shots-fired” call, confronted the family at Fountain Avenue and Vine Street.

Lt. Edward Garcia, a 20-year veteran of the force, fired a single shot, striking Celia Sagrero in the abdomen. She was reported in serious but stable condition at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. Officer Margie Reid said Sagrero was found to be carrying a loaded .22-caliber revolver. Detectives said she would not be charged with any crime.

“Garcia saw she had a handgun in her waistband and ordered her to raise her hands,” Reid said. “She complied. But then she reached for her gun. The lieutenant fired one round from his 9-millimeter pistol.”