Robbery Suspect Is Shot While Fleeing

An Escondido police officer shot and wounded a fleeing robbery suspect Sunday afternoon while pursuing the man down a flood-control channel into a residential district.

The unidentified suspect was one of three arrested by Escondido police after they allegedly attacked another youth outside a K mart store at 620 W. Mission Ave. and grabbed a package from him, which reportedly contained a “ghetto blaster,” a portable stereo radio, a police spokeswoman said.

Officer John Elliott was chasing the suspect when the suspect turned toward him suddenly in a manner indicating that he might have a weapon. Elliott shot the man in the buttocks, police said. The suspect, described as about 21 years old and a resident of the La Jolla Indian reservation, was taken to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, where he underwent surgery.

None of the three suspects apprehended nor the robbery victim was identified by police.

An investigation of the shooting will be conducted, the police spokeswoman said. Elliott has five years of law enforcement experience, including four years with the Escondido department.