PALA INDIAN RESERVATION – Two men were shot and wounded by a sheriff's deputy early Friday morning after they pulled up in a Jeep at the end of a pursuit of a wanted felon.

The incident began just after 3 a.m. near state Route 76 and Lilac Road when a deputy spotted and tried to pull over Ryan Jacob Rico, 23, who was driving a black El Camino, said sheriff's homicide Lt. Dennis Brugos.

Rico was wanted on a no-bail, felony warrant involving charges of reckless evasion of a peace officer, said sheriff's Cmdr. Glenn Revell.

Rico took off and drove a short distance before stopping on a dirt road at a gate, Brugos said. The deputy pulled up behind the car, along with a second patrol car, Brugos said.

Rico got out and ran and has not been located, Brugos said. A woman in the car was detained for questioning, he said.

 

Rico's brother and another man, whose names have not been made public, drove up in a Jeep behind the patrol cars, Brugos said.

Investigators don't know yet exactly what transpired next, but one of the deputies fired several shots at the vehicle and hit both men inside, the lieutenant said.

The Jeep's driver then drove about a half-mile to a fire station, where both men were taken into custody and transported to a hospital for treatment, Brugos said.

Their current conditions are unknown, but early reports said one was struck in the shoulder and the other was hit in the abdomen. Brugos said he thinks both men are in their 20s.

Investigators are still interviewing the deputy who opened fire. He will be placed on routine administrative assignment pending an evaluation of his ability to return to duty, Revell said.

Brugos did not release any more details, stating that investigators are still trying to determine what happened.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Debbi Baker: (619) 293-1710; debbi.baker@uniontrib.com