Tulare police shoot man armed with rifle after reported robbery

A man armed with a rifle was shot and wounded by police in Tulare as officers responded to an armed robbery in the South Valley city.

Sgt. Edward Hinojosa said the incident took place shortly after 8:15 p.m. Sunday near the 600 block of South Q Street.

The victims reported that they were robbed by three masked suspects, two of whom brandished firearms. The suspects ran from the scene after the robbery, and the victims followed in a car and called 911.

One man was detained by a responding sergeant, who had seen the victims following a second suspect and called for backup. Two officers confronted the second suspect, who reportedly refused to cooperate while holding the rifle.

He was shot in the leg by one of the officers and was given first aid until emergency workers arrived. He was identified as Ivan Lopez, 21. Lopez was booked after being taken to a hospital.

The second suspect was identified as Emmanuel Martinez, 19. He was also booked on robbery charges.

This story was originally published January 27, 2020 at 1:34 PM.