RSSPolice shootings have been making headlines across the country lately, but here in Southern California, police shootings are sometimes obscured by more high-profile news. Still, recently in Long Beach, police admitted they took aim at the dog of a sexual assault suspect, wounding the pit bull in the process of trying to track down their suspect.
On August 29, around 10:30 p.m., a man reported a possible assault in the area of the San Gabriel riverbed. Officers converged on the area, located near the Pacific Coast Highway, to investigate the tips that a 40-year-old woman from Seal Beach may have been a sexual assault victim.
The tipster led police to the area in which he had last seen the possible suspect; two of the police officers began chasing after a person whom they believed was the suspect. However, the witness was able to point out to a third officer the individual who was more likely to have been the suspect, and then the mayhem began.
Police said the suspect uttered some sort of phrase to the pit bull, then the animal reportedly charged at the officer and the witness. The policeman shot at the dog, believing both he and the witness were potentially in danger of being attacked. While the pit bull was wounded, he survived the attack and was taken to a veterinary clinic for treatment.
The incident is still under investigation, although the suspect has been arrested for a sex crime and is now in police custody. He is currently being held in lieu of a bail to the tune of $100,000.
There are myriad sex crimes that a suspect can be charged with in California, from aggravated assault to indecent exposure. While some crimes have far more serious penalties than others, any sexual offense conviction has the potential to wreak havoc on, and possibly destroy, a person’s reputation. For this reason it’s crucial that suspects in any sex crimes case secure an attorney swiftly; without representation from the get-go, matters can quickly swing in the favor of prosecuting authorities.
For a free initial consultation regarding your own sex crimes accusations, contact Los Angeles sex crimes defense attorney Jonathan I. Kelman at 310.286.1218.