The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department arrested a man last week involved in a February altercation with deputies which led to a deputy involved shooting.
Deputies discovered 50-year-old James Babakitis was staying in an undisclosed location in Glendora. Deputies located him Wednesday, April 29 and arrested him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer, according to the Sheriff’s Parks Bureau in a written statement.
The incident occurred Feb. 19 at Lario Park in Azusa, 15701 Foothill Blvd. when Babakitis, a Phelan resident, was approached by two deputies regarding county code violations. Babakitis became combative, deputies said.
Babakitis fled in his vehicle when he struck a deputy. The second deputy fired upon Babakitis, striking his vehicle. The deputy hit by Babakitis suffered non life-threatening injuries, deputies said.
At the time of the deputy involved shooting, Babakitis was unidentified, but further investigation helped identify the suspect, deputies said.
Babakitis is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail in Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles. He is scheduled to appear at the West Covina Courthouse Wednesday, May 6, according to county booking records.
