A 26-year-old man suspected of domestic violence, who was fatally shot by a police officer outside a gas station in El Monte, was identified Monday.
After several calls were made around 10:30 p.m. Thursday reporting possible domestic violence at a gas station at Garvey and Durfee avenues, El Monte Police Department officers were sent to the location.
“Upon officers’ arrival, the suspect’s vehicle collided with their patrol units and an officer-involved shooting occurred,” according to an El Monte police statement. “One officer discharged his service weapon.” The suspect, a 26-year-old man, “was struck by gunfire and is deceased.
He was identified Monday by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner as Juan Martin Avila Mercado.
The officer received non-life-threatening injuries, was treated at a local hospital and released, police said.
The domestic violence victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the alleged assault by the suspect and was reported to be in stable condition.
Video from the scene showed several police cruisers surrounding a red Honda sedan that appeared to have a passenger-side door nearly torn off.
“The California Department of Justice California Police Shooting Investigation Team responded and is investigating the incident,” police said.
Anyone with information about the case was urged to call the El Monte Police Department at 626-580-2100.