A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who was shot in the head at a Jack in the Box restaurant in Alhambra on Monday has died, the county’s sheriff said Wednesday evening.
Deputy Joseph Gilbert Solano was waiting for an order at the restaurant when a man approached him and shot him in what was an apparently random crime. Solano was rushed to County-USC Medical Center where he was placed on life support; he died Wednesday, officials said.
A suspect has been arrested in the attack.
Solano was surrounded by former co-workers and family throughout his treatment, said Sheriff Alex Villanueva at a press conference.
“Deputy Solano did what we expect every deputy to do, he confronted a threat, not knowing what it was. And in a split second he lost his life,” Villanueva said.
“That’s what it is in law enforcement. On a good day we can do heroic things and save lives and avoid death, and other times something as innocent as going to fast food restaurant can be an end of the watch for our Deputy Solano”
Family members joined the chief at the news conference.
“Thank you to everyone to has had my dad in their prayers. Unfortunately we have lost him, and he was a really good dad,” said Matthew Solano, the deputy’s son, tears filling his eyes.
On Tuesday afternoon in Long Beach, authorities arrested the primary suspect in the case, Rhett Nelson, 30, of St. George, Utah.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
Source: Orange County Register
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