Officer Shoots Man Wanted in Murder Try

A Santa Ana gang investigator shot a parolee Tuesday afternoon after the man, who was wanted in connection with a murder attempt, appeared to have a gun in his pocket, police said.

The man, 22-year-old John Delao, was taken to a hospital for treatment of a bullet wound to his buttocks. Authorities said his injury did not appear to be life-threatening.

Officials did not release the name of the officer involved in the shooting but gave this account of the incident:

Two gang officers were pursuing an unrelated investigation when they spotted Delao at 3:30 p.m. in a mobile home park near West 1st Street. The officers knew a warrant had been issued for Delao, a known gang member who was considered armed and dangerous.

The investigators saw Delao put a large object in his pocket. When they tried to arrest him, Delao ran off.

The officers caught up to him, but he ran off again. A confrontation ensued, during which Delao began to pull the object out of his pocket.

One investigator fired a shot, striking Delao, whom the officers then arrested. Paramedics were called to take him to a hospital.

Officials said Delao will be booked on the attempted-murder warrant as well as a no-bail parole hold.

Santa Ana Police Lt. George Saadeh said late Tuesday that he did not have details about the attempted-murder charge except that the incident happened two or three months ago.

The district attorney’s office is conducting an investigation into the shooting.