Hacienda Heights CA - Deputies Shoot Suspect Armed With Screwdriver

Hacienda Heights CA - Three deputies assigned to Industry Sheriff’s Station responded to an emergency call for service of a possible arson in progress in the Unincorporated area of Hacienda Heights. The homeowner indicated her brother, 56-year-old Trinidad Velasco, was inside a blue Ford pickup truck parked in front of her residence and threatened to burn down the house with a bottle of gasoline that he had in his possession. The deputies arrived on scene and observed Velasco seated in the driver’s seat of the pickup which was parked on the street in front of the location.
The deputies stopped in front of Velasco’s parked vehicle, exited their patrol vehicles and gave Velasco verbal commands to exit his vehicle. Velasco suddenly accelerated his pickup toward two deputies who quickly ran out of Velasco’s path to avoid being hit. When Velasco fled, the deputies re-entered their patrol vehicles and initiated a vehicle pursuit. During the pursuit, Velasco made a U-turn and drove directly at a patrol unit. The deputy drove his patrol vehicle into a driveway of a residence to avoid being struck. Velasco continued back to the residence where he parked in the driveway and exited his vehicle.
Velasco ran toward a family member and then moved to the driveway while holding a pointed metal object in his right hand. Deputies contacted Velasco and gave him verbal commands to drop the weapon. Velasco began yelling unintelligibly at the deputies while still holding the pointed metal object in his right hand. Deputies gave Velasco verbal commands to drop the weapon, but he refused to comply. A deputy fired a 40mm rubber projectile striking Velasco’s body, but it had no effect. The deputies continued to give Velasco verbal commands to drop the weapon, but he still refused to comply.
The deputy fired a second 40mm rubber projectile at Velasco, this time striking his left hand, but it also had no effect. Velasco, while still holding the pointed metal object in his right hand, advance toward the deputies and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.
Velasco was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground. Deputies approached him and administered first aid. Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics responded and provided medical care. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he received further medical treatment. There were no other persons injured during this incident.
A metal screwdriver, approximately six inches in length, was recovered at the scene.