A man armed with a gun and a knife is hospitalized Thursday after he was shot in a Walmart Supercenter in Foothill Ranch by an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy.
Deputies from the Lake Forest Station of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and a SWAT unit responded at around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday to 26502 Towne Center Drive regarding suspected fraud by multiple people who were reportedly returning items they had not purchased, according to a release from the Sheriff’s Department.
According to multiple witnesses, a man did not respond to deputies’ commands and drew a weapon, resulting in a deputy firing at the suspect.
A handgun and a knife that authorities believe are the suspect’s were recovered at the scene and the suspect was taken to a hospital where doctors performed surgery on him. His condition is unknown.
A man and a woman ran out of the store and drove away, according to the release. Both were taken into custody in Midway City, approximately 20 miles away.
No deputies were injured.
Per department protocol, the Orange County District Attorney‘s office will be in charge of the investigation of the shooting.
