Fullerton Police Shoot Man in Confrontation

FULLERTON — Fullerton police shot and critically wounded a man found rummaging through a trash container in an alley behind an industrial park early Sunday after the man allegedly threatened officers with a pistol.

Sgt. Dave Stanko said police detained Robert Keifer, 35, of Fullerton and a female companion after they were seen on bicycles around 6:30 a.m. in the closed business park at 701 S. State College Ave.

When police checked the man’s identity they discovered outstanding warrants.

Lt. Daniel Becerra, the watch commander at the time of the shooting, said “officers ran a warrant check and it was learned that the male had a no-bail warrant out of Los Angeles County for weapon and explosive charges.”

After the warrants were discovered, Stanko said that police told the man they wanted to pat him down to check for weapons.

At that point, Keifer “became very uncooperative,” reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small caliber automatic pistol, Stanko said.

The three officers immediately spread out, took cover and fired, hitting Keifer, who ran a short distance and collapsed.

It was not clear whether Keifer fired on officers, but police were not injured.

Keifer was taken to Western Medical Center-Anaheim, where he was listed in critical condition Sunday.

The woman, identified as Pamela Potter, 35, of Fullerton, was detained Sunday as a material witness.

The shooting investigations team of the Orange County district attorney’s office was called to review the incident, Stanko said.