Local : Deputy Kills Knife-Wielding Man

A sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a one-legged San Dimas man who allegedly came at him with a butcher knife, authorities said today.

“He kept coming, so he shot him--several times,” said Deputy Hal Grant of the Sheriff’s Department information bureau.

Albert Frank Belmontez, 27, who had an artificial leg, died outside his house at 1128 Wehner Lane shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday, Grant said. Belmontez’s sister, Helen, 30, called deputies about 8:40 p.m. to say she wanted to make a citizen’s arrest of her brother after he had beaten her up and thrown her out of the house.

Upon the arrival of deputies, Belmontez knocked out a window, reached out and grabbed one deputy’s uniform, starting a struggle, Grant said. Belmontez then reportedly came out of the house with a butcher knife and charged at the deputies. “The deputy backed up, pulled his gun and backed up to where he couldn’t back up any farther,” he said.