Officer wounded during training

A city SWAT officer remained in critical condition Friday after being shot in the face during a training exercise at Camp Pendleton, police said.

The man, whose name was not released, suffered a gunshot wound about 4:30 p.m. Thursday during a live-fire training exercise for about 30 SWAT officers at the Marine base, said Santa Ana Police Cpl. Jose Gonzalez.

The officer was treated by on-scene medics before being taken by ambulance to a hospital.

His injuries are not considered life-threatening, but “he does have a long road to recovery ahead,” Gonzalez said.

Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters said in a statement that the injury “may have been due to equipment failure,” though it is unclear how the weapon was discharged or to whom it belonged, Gonzalez said.

Santa Ana police and Marine Corps officials are investigating the incident.

-- Tony Barboza