Police Shoot Knife-Wielding Man Allegedly Chasing Girl In La Mesa

LA MESA, CA – A La Mesa police officer shot and wounded a man Monday morning while responding to a call of a knife-wielding suspect who was reportedly chasing a girl.

The officer-involved shooting happened shortly before 9 a.m. near the intersection of Fletcher Parkway and Amaya Drive, according to the La Mesa Police Department.

According to multiple media reports, a 13-year-old girl called 911 to report a man chasing her with a knife. When officers arrived, the unidentified suspect allegedly refused to drop his weapon and made a move toward police, prompting an officer to fire.

The suspect was taken to a hospital, but a condition report was not immediately available. The girl was reportedly emotionally shaken but physically uninjured.

Police advised the public to avoid the area for several hours while officials conduct an investigation.

Police closed the intersection. The northbound and southbound state Route 125 off-ramps to Fletcher Parkway were also closed, according to Caltrans. The California Highway Patrol issued a Sig-alert at 9:30 a.m.

It is not yet known when the roads and off-ramps will reopen.

No other information was immediately available.

City News Service and Kristina Houck/Patch contributed to this report.

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