Pipe-wielding man shot by Westminster police, critically injured

WESTMINSTER, Calif. - A metal pipe-wielding homeless man was critically injured after being shot by Westminster police officers after he allegedly attempted to hit officers with the weapon Saturday morning, authorities said.

The 29-year-old man was listed in critical but stable condition at a hospital, according to Sgt. Eddie Esqueda of the Westminster Police Department.

According to officials, officers were called to the 9100 block of Bolsa Avenue around 1 a.m. after reports of possible vandalism. That's when they found the suspect and ordered him to drop the pipe, Esqueda said.

Officers attempted to stop the man with a Taser shot, but it didn't work. That's when officials said the man tried to attack officers with the pipe, and that's when the man was shot. The man was transported to a local hospital in critical but stable condition.

Westminster police urged anyone with information about the incident to call them at 714-548-4570 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227.

City News Service contributed to this report.