Man wielding knives is shot, wounded by San Bernardino County deputies

A man wielding two large knives was shot and wounded Wednesday while San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies searched for a murder suspect, the department said.

Deputies were searching for suspect Robert Pope, 20, of Apple Valley in the 1100 block of La Paz Street in Adelanto about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday when they saw a man sneaking through front yards and hiding in bushes, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Pope is suspected of gunning down Ernie Sanders in the 20000 block of Serrano Avenue in Apple Valley on Tuesday morning, according to the department.

The man, later identified as Keivon Young, 18, of Adelanto, withdrew two large knives from his waistband when deputies identified themselves and ordered him to show his hands, the department said.

Deputies, who the department said feared for their safety, fired their weapons. Young was transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center where he was treated and released. He was later arrested and booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer.

In recent weeks, the department has come under fire after a teenage boy wielding a hammer was shot and hospitalized in critical condition after he charged toward officers.

Joshua Alvarez, 16, was walking away from his family home on Jan. 18 when deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance. Deputies told him to stop and repeatedly told him to drop the hammer and a “sharp instrument” he was carrying, according to a statement. He didn’t comply and instead moved toward the deputies. One of them opened fire, injuring the teenager. No deputies were injured.

The family is demanding to know what led the officer to fire his gun, rather than subdue the boy by some other method, and the shooting prompted vigils and protests. Demonstrators, joined by family members, chanted and held signs condemning law enforcement and questioning their tactics.

samantha.schaefer@latimes.com
Twitter: @sam_schaefer