Suspect wounded by officer

Jen Lawson

Friday, March 14, 2003 | 9:56 a.m.

A robbery suspect was in critical condition after being shot by a Metro Police officer this morning at an apartment complex where a methamphetamine lab was discovered, police said.

Lt. Ted Snodgrass said the wounded man, whose name was not released this morning, was a suspect in a robbery that took place Sunday at the 7-Eleven at Torrey Pines Drive and Charleston Boulevard.

"We had been looking for him all day," Snodgrass said. "He had already shot one clerk, and we were working him 24-7."

A squad of officers was searching for the suspect in two different apartment complexes. They found him about 12:30 a.m. Friday at the Emerald Crest complex near Alta Drive at Torrey Pines Drive. The man who was shot or his relatives live at the apartment complex, police said.

Officers approached him near the complex swimming pool and commanded him to surrender, police said. But police allege the suspect pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at the officers.

An officer fired one shot at the man, hitting him in the front torso, between his belt and neck, Snodgrass said. He was taken to University Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.

Snodgrass said officers did find a gun on the man. It's not clear if it is the same gun used in Sunday's robbery, Snodgrass said.

While in the complex, officers stumbled upon a methamphetamine lab in a garage.

"The smells were pretty bad," Snodgrass said.

The lab "is associated with the suspect," Snodgrass said.

Snodgrass said he expects the suspect to be charged with at least one robbery.

In the robbery Sunday, the suspect ordered employees in a room and shot through the door, hitting a clerk in the arm.

"This is a guy who needed to be taken into custody," Snodgrass said. "It's one thing to do a robbery, but it's another when he shoots people in the commission of the crime."