Man Uses Daughter as Shield in Shootout With Police

An Anaheim man used his 2-year-old daughter as a shield during a shootout with police investigating a domestic violence complaint Friday. The child was not injured, but an officer was slightly hurt in the struggle to subdue the man, who suffered a minor gunshot wound.

Salvador Cortez, 32, was jailed on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer. His bail was set at $250,000.

The shooting occurred at 8:20 p.m. at an apartment complex at 903 W. Bluejay Lane. Two officers were called to investigate a domestic violence report, Anaheim Police Lt. Ted Labahn said.

Officers spoke to the wife, who had run to a neighbor’s home. The officers then went to Cortez’s apartment.

“Upon being contacted, Mr. Cortez drew a handgun from his waistband and began firing on the officers,” Labahn said. “Both officers returned fire.”

At one point, Cortez picked up his daughter, who was in the apartment, and used the youngster as a body shield, police said.

Officers were able to overcome and arrest Cortez.

Cortez, who was shot in his right forearm, was treated at Western Medical Center-Anaheim and released into police custody. One police officer suffered a broken nose and the second officer escaped the confrontation with minor scrapes.

In accordance with standard procedure in officer-involved shootings, the Orange County district attorney’s office will look into the incident and both officers will be placed on short-term administrative leave.