By Martin Estacio
Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. — A man who authorities said attacked a deputy with a machete was shot by police Monday night.
The shooting happened shortly after 9 p.m. after deputies responded to a call in the 41000 block of Dogwood Street in Newberry Springs, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.
The caller reported that “a family member was at the home causing a disturbance,” according to authorities.
When two deputies riding in the same vehicle arrived on scene, a man, later identified as 58-year-old Anthony Oetken, came out of some bushes “and attacked the deputy on the passenger side with a machete,” sheriff’s officials said.
“A third deputy arrived as the attack occurred and a deputy involved shooting occurred,” a sheriff’s statement read. “The deputy and suspect were airlifted to different hospitals for treatment.”
The deputy suffered several injuries to his upper body. Both he and Oetken are expected to survive.
Officials said Oetken will be booked on suspicion of attempted murder once he is released from the hospital.
The deputy was only identified as being assigned to the Barstow Sheriff’s Station.
Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Bachman said the deputy has been with the sheriff’s department since October 2016. She said the deputy was in stable condition Tuesday afternoon.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information, or anyone who witnessed the incident, is asked to contact Detective Gerad Laing, Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail at 909-387-3589.
Callers can remain anonymous and dial the WeTip Hotline at 1-800-782-7463 or www.wetip.com.
©2020 Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.