Hit And Run Suspect Shoots Witness: OCSD

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — A hit-and-run witness is recovering from a bullet wound today after the driver shot her to make good on his escape Sunday in Mission Viejo, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

The shooting triggered a manhunt in the hills of South Orange County Sunday night, ending with the suspect in custody. Authorities also recovered the gun believed to be used in the attack. The suspect, who was not immediately identified by authorities, was also wanted in connection with a domestic violence assault that took place in San Clemente leading up to the crash.

A domestic dispute was reported about 7:30 p.m. in San Clemente and within 10 minutes, deputies were notified that a pickup matching the description of the vehicle that fled the scene was being driven recklessly in Mission Viejo, according to Orange County sheriff's Sgt. Todd Hylton.

According to the sheriff's department, the shooting victim had witnessed a truck crash into a vehicle at La Paz and Marguerite at about 7:43 p.m. The truck driver took off, and the witness followed him into the business plaza at La Paz and Commerce Center, according to the sheriff's department.

"As the witness drove past the suspect, he shot at the victim who suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound to her foot," the sheriff's department wrote on Facebook. "The suspect fled and deputies quickly set up a perimeter using OCSD Air Support Unit and OCSD K-9 Unit. Deputies were able to find the suspect on the hillside, with information from two other good samaritans, and safely take him into custody. A weapon was also found on scene."

The shooter and the victim did not know each other, according to investigators. Paramedics took the woman to a hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, Hylton said.

The suspect's name and booking information were not immediately available.

City News Service contributed to this report.