California Deputy Shot by Suspect Mistakenly Reported as Having BB Gun

A Sonoma County, CA, Sheriff's deputy was shot Sunday morning after responding to a call from a gas station manager about his employee being armed with a BB gun and acting erratically. But it turned out that the gun was a 9mm firearm.

The deputy, working as a police officer for the city of Sonoma, suffered nonfatal wounds and was reported in stable condition Sunday night at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, reports the Press-Democrat .

Officials said Pritel drew a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and fired at one of two responding deputies.

Sonoma Police Chief Bret Sackett said the deputy was hit with a round of "snake shot," a bullet whose projectile is made up of small pellets.

The deputy was hit in various parts of his upper torso, including his hands, arms, and face near his left eye, officials said. "He appears to be in good shape and should have a full recovery," Sackett said during an interview with media at the scene.

Deputies arrested Ryan Joseph Pritel, 20, of Sonoma. He was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder and carrying a loaded firearm in public.