Off-Duty Deputy Fatally Shoots Man

An off-duty sheriff’s deputy shot and killed one of two men who allegedly attacked him at a nightclub in Marina del Rey early Sunday morning, a sheriff’s deputy said.

The second man, who had allegedly pulled a knife on the deputy, was briefly hospitalized for injuries received during the fight and later booked at the Lennox station on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, authorities said.

The deputy, whose name has not been released pending an investigation, was in the Casa Escobar restaurant with three women at 1:20 a.m when the two men allegedly began harassing them, authorities said.

An argument and a shoving match ensued until one suspect allegedly pulled out a knife, Los Angeles County Deputy Cruz Solis said.

The deputy identified himself and told the manager to call the Marina del Rey sheriff’s station, he said. The three continued to fight until the deputy pulled his handgun and the suspects, who were not identified, ran out the back door, Solis said.

The deputy followed them, but the two suspects split up outside the restaurant, he said. The officer stayed behind one of them, who turned around and began scuffling with him, trying to grab his gun, Solis said.

Then the deputy heard tires squealing as the second suspect allegedly tried to run him over, Solis said. The deputy opened fire through the front windshield and killed the driver, he said.

The other suspect fled and was later caught, Solis said.