LANCASTER – A 33-year-old woman was in jail Wednesday, accused of discharging a firearm belonging to an off-duty deputy who was trying to keep her from driving drunk, authorities said.
Angela Tatum was arrested for negligent discharge of a weapon and drunk driving in connection with an incident that happened late Tuesday night in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 714 West Milling Street, according to Lt. Paul Pfrehm of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.
Tatum had crashed her vehicle into a pole and was attempting to leave the parking lot when an off-duty deputy intervened, Pfrehm said.
The two began to struggle, and during the scuffle, the off-duty deputy lost his gun and it fell to the ground, Pfrehm said.
“The drunk driver picked it up and fired a round and was tackled,” Pfrehm said. “Nobody was hit.”
Several deputies converged on the scene late Tuesday night, according to witnesses.
“We responded originally to a disturbance call there, involving them trying to stop her from driving away,” Pfrehm said. “As the deputies arrived, they heard the gunshots and then, of course, requested assistance.”
Pfrehm said the weapon fired belonged to the off-duty deputy, but it was not a department weapon. The deputy worked out of the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, sources at the scene said.
Tatum was booked into the Lancaster Station around 1:47 a.m. Wednesday and jailed on $35,000 bail, according to LASD inmate records. She is due in court on Friday to answer charges.
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SMDH says
Funny how people just jump to conclusions.Has anyone ever thought that maybe the officer was a woman cop!And maybe the cop was a relative or close friend,That didn’t let Angela leave the scene after hitting a pole.Good to the cop,the put everything to the side,and did what a law abiding citizen and cop should do.
SMDH says
**That put everything to the side
Gladys says
Didn’t give that a thought since the story clearly states “the off-duty deputy lost his gun”.
QHResident says
People are so quick to judge…a drunk driver was prevented from going out on the road and killing you, me, or our loved ones. Stop scrutinizing everything and be happy nobody was hurt.
Gladys says
I don’t know about you or your loved ones, but me and mine don’t hang around establishments known for drunken brawls at 2:30 in the morning.
The comments section is meant for scrutinizing. Usually the only people who hold back are law enforcement members, their friends and family, when a law enforcement member IS involved.
Everyone has an opinion, just like everyone has a a—-le.
LOL says
Do you think collisions or deaths caused by drunk drivers only occur around “establishments known for drunken brawls?” They can happen anywhere the inebriated person drives; around town, and yes possibly near you or your loved ones. Your comment was not well thought out.
Gladys says
I get your “well thought out point”. However, these comments are referring to this article, I do believe. Atleast mine is. I am referring to this specific incident in the wee hours of the morning, in the alley or parking lot behind an establishment that has had plenty of problems since it opened. If you don’t hang around those places, your odds of being involved in an incident like this is slightly less.
CF says
Read the story, “The two began to struggle, and during the scuffle, the off-duty deputy lost his gun and it fell to the ground”
Tyrus says
The gun fell to the ground, then she manage to pick up the weapon before the deputy and fire off a round. You see nothing questionable about that?
MR. PERPLEXED IN THE AV says
HHHHMMMM????
1. WAS HE TRYING TO DETAIN A DRUNK FEMALE AT GUNPOINT? WHY?
2. IF SHE DIDNT SEEM TO BE COOPERATING..? WHY DIDNT HE CALL FOR BACK UP?
3. WAS ANY ONES’ LIFE IN INMINENT DANGER THAT HE HAD TO UNHOLSTER HIS GUN?
4. WAS HE WORKING AT REX I MEAN BeX, OR WAS HE THERE HAVING A GOOD TIME?
5. IF HE WAS THERE HAVING A GOOD TIME, MAYBE HE HIMSELF WAS DRUNK TOO?
6. HOW CAN A DRUNK FEMALE BEND OVER TO GET A GUN FROM THE GROUND WITHOUT
FALLING DOWN? ISNT THE GUN SUPPOSED TO HAVE ITS SAFETY ON, IF HE LOST
THE GUN BY “ACCIDENT”
7. NOW FOR HIM TO HAVE TO STRUGLE WITH A DRUNK FEMALE, SHE HAS TO BE A BIG
FEMALE IN ORDER FOR HIM TO LOSE CONTROL!! SMELLS LIKE A ROOKIE DEPUTY!!
Bob says
Hi, please read the article once more. Also, turn off the caps lock.
An off duty deputy was at the apartment building, he either heard or witnessed a collision outside.
As soon as he saw what happened the vehicle was already trying to leave the scene (Hit and Run, Vehicle Code 20002.)
He probably approached to stop a hit and run driving from leaving, a drunk driver that is already involved in one collision and trying to get back on the road is an imminent danger.
Since no details are available the likely scenario is this: The gun wasn’t in a duty belt but in a concealed carry holster (hopefully) which is not as secure as a duty holster.
The cause for the gun not being on safety ranges from her undoing it to the style he was carrying did not have a typical style safety.
The gun probably fell out from him struggling to 1) get the keys out of the ignition 2) get her out of the car, and as he pulled her out of the vehicle during the struggle she landed on top of it.
She grabs it, he is already subdoing her, she fires into the area but can’t aim at him, he then handcuffs her/subdues her further, tada.
Pulling any person that is seat belted into a car and trying to drive away is not easy, even for veteran officers.
If she drove at him (assault with a deadly weapon), he could have just shot her.
sikntired says
Thanks Bob, looks like Mr P might have overdone the caffeine this morning.
Tyrus says
WOW! She fell on the weapon, fired once in the air and Tada! The details are unclear by design. There are some pieces missing from this puzzle.
Ace says
Believing the media. Oh so smart of you BOB!
I agree, story doesn’t make sense. With this off-duty cop and the drunk woman being the only two to tell the story, it’s obvious the article will be of the cops. He can say whatever he wants, and the dummies out there will believe.
Terrible things these crooked people can do and say.
Harvey says
For all of you “oh so smart” people…
We weren’t there. What happened we cannot say for sure.
Everyone and every situation has a story.
We never get the whole story.
That said, late night, alcohol, automobile, scuffle, loaded weapon – geez, what could possibly go wrong here?
SMDH says
I dont think it was a “HE” Cop.There are woman cops. And I dont think anything is crooked,when a cop is enforcing the law on a DUI regardless who the suspect is.
Bob says
Yeah, my comment generalized using the word “he” when it should read “deputy,” my bad. Hard to get out of the old word usages.
Gladys says
Why didn’t he just shoot her when she started fighting with him? (sarcasm off)
Devon says
In response to number 6. My concealed carry weapon does not have a safety. The only safety is me.
sammy P says
A very odd story. DA will probably dismiss the gun charge in a plea agreement, and due to the weirdness of this case she might get off on the DUI as well if she sticks it out. Its all about jail. People who can afford bail have the luxury of making choices about their case, but when you are stuck in LA county jail then you will take any deal they give you so you can get out and try and pick up the pieces of your life.
Lola says
When someone grabs your gun and starts firing, there’s no time for 20 questions. What are ya’ll on, anyway?
Tyrus says
This doesn’t make any sense.
Letlow says
I had given up on things making sense in this valley. But since you broached the issue of things not making sense in this story, here goes:
If this officer was trying to stop the lady from leaving, wouldn’t that mean the lady was in her car?
How is he “struggling” with her while she is in the car? Is he in the car too? And if so why???
If he’s not in the car and he’s struggling with her from outside, how does he possibly drop a concealed weapon during this struggle?
In the remote possible that he drops his weapon, how can she reach down and pick it up from the ground if she’s inside the car?
There’s is much more to this story and I should wish I could be there when the s*** hits the fan!
frank rizzo says
Cop lost he gun after trying to play dudley doo right. LOL, maybee we should take guns away from cops if they want to take my guns away. A cop that looses his gun in a struggle is a crappy cop ans has no business being a cop. More and more idiots are becoming cops.
Gladys says
Frank, In a struggle with a woman! Something fishy here….how rare.
SMDH says
@Gladys ,there are woman cops you know.?????Think about that
Rob says
The same thing happened to my friend but he wasn’t a cop. He’s in jail for kidnapping and attempted murder.. (the gun she picked up went off in the struggle)
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