Ryan Carter
A Burbank man recovering in a local hospital after being shot by
police during an early-morning traffic stop is expected to be charged
with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at officers.
Carl Strunk, 22, is the first person shot by Burbank Police in the
city since 1991.
He was in serious condition at Providence St. Joseph Medical
Center with a fractured arm and several penetration wounds, hospital
spokesman Dan Boyle said. His vital signs were stable and Police Lt.
Tim Stehr said he was improving.
The upgraded condition comes three days after officers opened fire
on Strunk, who allegedly fired a handgun at officers as he sat in the
passenger seat of a Nissan sedan in the parking lot of the 99 Plus
Cent Store at 1421 W. Olive Ave.
The two officers, who were riding together, stood outside the car
talking to the driver when they allegedly saw Strunk draw the gun.
In self-defense, the officers fired at Strunk, hitting him several
times in the upper body, Stehr said.
Strunk was taken to the hospital in "extremely critical
condition," according to a department statement.
None of the three others in the car -- two Glendale men and a
North Hollywood woman -- was hurt, nor were the officers. Strunk
allegedly fired once during the exchange.
"They shot and he shot," Stehr said, adding that it was unclear
who fired first.
Police said they later discovered that Strunk had another handgun
in the waistband of his pants.
Police declined to elaborate on the alleged traffic violation that
initiated the stop.
In addition to an administrative review by local police, the
county district attorney's office is investigating the incident.
The other passengers were detained by police but released.
