Gun-Wielding Man in Vista Is Shot by Sheriff’s Deputies

Two sheriff’s deputies shot and seriously wounded a man in Vista late Sunday who reportedly took a gun and aimed it at another person during a confrontation, authorities said.

When deputies arrived about 11 p.m. in the 300 block of Pomelo Drive, they found Thomas Prudhomme, 69, holding a gun on Robert Curry, 43, who reportedly had been breaking into a car, Lt. Steve Wood said.

Deputies Denise McGehee and Mark Foster told Prudhomme to put his gun down on the stairs nearby. Prudhomme obeyed immediately and then lay down on the grass, Wood said.

Curry, who was still standing, then picked up the gun although the two deputies yelled at him to leave it alone, Wood said. When Curry pointed the gun at Prudhomme, who was still on the ground, the deputies both fired, Wood said.

It was not immediately known how many shots each fired or who hit Curry, Wood said.

Curry was wounded several times in the upper body and is in serious condition at Scripps Memorial Hospital, a spokeswoman said.

The incident began on Hacienda Drive, about a half block away from the shooting scene, when Prudhomme, a World War II veteran, saw Curry trying to break into a car, Wood said.

Prudhomme used his car to chase Curry, who was on foot, Wood said. Curry ran to an apartment on Pomelo Drive, where Prudhomme caught up with him, Wood said.

Prudhomme got out of the car and held Curry at gunpoint in the apartment courtyard. When a resident looked out of the window, Prudhomme yelled to call for help, Wood said.

Several witnesses heard the deputies shout warnings to Curry, and some saw the shooting, Wood said.

McGehee, 39, has been with the Sheriff’s Department for seven years; Foster, 26, has been a deputy for five years. The pair, who were assigned to the Vista substation, have been put on administrative leave.