LA Sheriff's Deputy Shot In The Head, Manhunt On For The Shooter

ALHAMBRA, CA — A Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy is fighting for his life following an off-duty shooting at a fast-food restaurant in Alhambra.

A manhunt is on for the shooter, who may have targeted the deputy. The deputy, a 13-year veteran with the department, had just ordered a meal at the a Jack in the Box at 2531 W. Valley Blvd. shortly before 6 p.m. Monday. He was waiting for his food in plain clothes and wore no holster nor badge identifying him as a law enforcement officer when the suspect walked up and shot him in the back of the head, according to the sheriff's department. The suspect, a young man between the ages of 20 and 30 years old, wore a fedora.

The deputy was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said. His name has not been released by the department.

The suspect is described as a man 20-30 years old, 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 11 inches tall, according to Deputy Morgan Arteaga of the Sheriff's Information Bureau. He apparently changed his clothes based on video surveillance tape and was lats seen wearing a black T-shirt and black pants.

The suspect's vehicle was described as a white four-door, 2010-2014 Kia Sorento SUV with paper plates, Arteaga said.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.