Valinda standoff continues after shootout between armed man and LASD deputies

Leanne Suter Image
Sunday, March 12, 2023
Standoff with barricaded suspect in Valinda going on 24 hours
A standoff involving an armed man and sheriff's deputies entered its 23rd hour at a home in the San Gabriel Valley.

VALINDA, Calif. (KABC) -- A standoff involving an armed man and sheriff's deputies entered its 24th hour on Saturday afternoon at a home in the San Gabriel Valley, the day after the suspect exchanged gunfire with deputies and opened fire on pedestrians, authorities said.

The incident began shortly before 2:30 p.m. when the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department received a report about someone firing shots at passersby in Valinda's 16900 block of Wing Lane.

The man opened fire on deputies when they arrived at the scene, a sheriff's spokesperson said.

"When they arrived, they were met with gunfire by the suspect," said Deputy Miguel Meza. "Deputies returned fire at that time. The suspect barricaded himself inside that residence. We don't know if that residence is his or family members."

There was no indication that anyone was struck by gunfire.

The suspect remained barricaded inside the home overnight Friday. Additional shots were heard from inside the house. Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.

One woman was transported to a local hospital to be treated for injuries which were not gunshot-related. A crisis-negotiation team and the sheriff's elite Special Enforcement Bureau were on scene trying to convince the suspect to surrender peacefully.

Eric Torres, who lives nearby, said he heard as many as 30 gunshots.

Shortly before 1:30 p.m. Saturday, the Sheriff's Department confirmed the standoff was ongoing.

"At this time, residents are still unable to access the crime scene area," the agency said in a statement. "We urge everyone to stay away from the area for precaution and their safety."

The city of Industry sheriff's station was coordinating with La Puente school police and the Red Cross to provide shelter for displaced residents, authorities said.

A temporary shelter facility was established at Workman High School on Temple Avenue.

"We appreciate the public's cooperation and patience during this time as we attempt to resolve this incident," the Sheriff's Department said.

The sheriff's Industry station coordinated with the La Puente School Police and the Red Cross to provide temporary accommodations at Workman High School, at 16303 Temple Ave. in Industry, for residents who were temporarily displaced during the barricade.

The Red Cross can be reached at 800-675-5799.

City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.