By SDCN Editor
Vista, CA–A man suspected of slashing two tires on a vehicle Tuesday at a convenience store was shot by a deputy after he grabbed a weapon that resembled a rifle, according to the Sheriff’s office.
The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. at the 7-Eleven store in the 1500 block of North Santa Fe Avenue in Vista.
The victim parked outside the store told deputies a man with a knife slashed his tires on his vehicle.
The suspect had fled the area when deputies arrived at the location. Bystanders who witnessed the incident pointed deputies to the direction of the suspect. Deputies found the suspect in a backyard in the 1500 block of Kiva Lane. Deputies tried to de-escalate the situation and ordered the suspect to put down the knife. At some point, the suspect produced what appeared to be a rifle and he was shot by the deputy. The suspect was awake and talking when he was transported to a local hospital. No deputies were hurt.
Upon closer inspection, deputies discovered the rifle turned out to be a pellet gun.
The incident is under investigation.
