In the foothills of California’s San Gabriel Mountain range, an off-duty sheriff’s deputy (aka, an armed citizen) returned home with his young children and rounded the corner to the front door. That’s when they encountered three black bears rummaging through the trash—one of which charged toward the family.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told KTLA-5, “Fearing for his life, and the lives of his children, the deputy fired several rounds from a handgun toward the bear.” It was believed the bear may have been injured, as it suddenly turned and fled with the other two into a wooded area.
The family was not injured, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s search for the three bears has so far been unsuccessful. The sheriff’s office has since issued a reminder to area residents that wildlife sightings are more common in the foothills and that wild animals are drawn to homes by trash, pets and water.
