Deputy shoots man carrying pellet gun in El Monte, authorities say

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy shot and wounded a man carrying a replica firearm in El Monte late Tuesday night, authorities said.

Deputies from the Temple sheriff’s station were driving in the area of Seaman Avenue and Giovane Street around 11:30 p.m. when they noticed a man acting suspiciously, according to Nicole Nishida, a Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman.

One of the deputies shined his flashlight toward the man, described only as an adult male, Nishida said. The man took a few steps away, and deputies ordered him to raise his hands after noticing what they thought was a handgun tucked into his waistband, authorities said.

The man then drew the weapon and a deputy opened fire, Nishida said.

He was struck once in the upper body and was taken to a local hospital, where he remained in stable condition Wednesday morning, authorities said.

A “realistic-looking large pellet gun pistol” was recovered at the scene, Nishida said.

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UPDATES:

11 a.m.: This article was updated with additional information from the Sheriff’s Department, noting that authorities say they recovered a “realistic-looking large pellet gun pistol” at the scene.

9:25 a.m.: This article was updated with additional information from the Sheriff’s Department.

This article was originally published at 6:35 a.m.