$100,000 reward offered in Alhambra shooting of off-duty deputy

ALHAMBRA, Calif. (FOX 11) - Authorities offered $100,000 in reward money Tuesday for information that leads to the gunman who shot and critically wounded an off-duty sheriff's deputy who was ordering food at a fast-food restaurant in Alhambra.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the deputy, whose name has not been released, remains in critical condition. She recommended the county offer a $50,000 reward and announced that the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs would match that amount.

The board immediately approved the reward, with Supervisor Janice Hahn adding, "Our prayers are certainly with him.''

The shooting occurred about 5:45 p.m. Monday at Jack in the Box at 2531 W. Valley Blvd., at the intersection of Fremont Avenue. The 13-year veteran deputy was in civilian clothes, carrying no weapon or badge or anything else to reflect his law enforcement status, when the suspect approached and shot him once in the back of the head, sheriff's officials said.

The deputy was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said.

The suspect is described as white, 20-30 years old, and between 5-foot- 9 and 5-foot-11, said Deputy Morgan Arteaga of the Sheriff's Information Bureau. He wore a fedora and sunglasses during the shooting, and homicide detectives are investigating whether he specifically targeted the deputy. He apparently changed his clothes based on video surveillance tape and was last 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.

At a news conference Monday night, homicide sheriff's Capt. Kent Wegener said anyone hiding the man could face serious consequences.

"It's time to turn him in,'' Wegener said. "You don't want to be associated with this man, and the sheriff's department is going to spare no resources to locate this suspect."

CNS contributed to this report.

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