Parolee Wounded While Running From Pursuing Agents
A parolee trying to evade arrest was shot in the chest by a state parole agent Thursday morning, authorities said.
The suspect, Martin Gomez, 27, was listed in critical condition at Palomar Hospital Thursday night.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said Gomez was attempting to escape arrest by two parole agents when Officer Paul Rodriguez shot him.
Gomez, convicted of cruelty to children, reportedly had violated his parole, a sheriff’s spokesman said.
According to a sheriff’s report, parole agents Margaret Fralish and Rodriguez found Gomez in a pickup truck at an apartment complex in the 900 block of Postal Way in Vista about 9:40 a.m. Gomez allegedly tried to escape in the truck, then on foot after the vehicle got stuck on a curb.
Sheriff’s Lt. Gary Alschback said Rodriguez yelled at Gomez to stop, and, believing he was armed, fired a shot from his pistol.
No weapon was found on Gomez after he was arrested, investigators said.
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