Close Call as Victim Brushes Away Handgun Pointed at Him, Shot Misses

A Saturday night party almost turned tragic as an argument between two men led to a gunshot, police said.

The party and shooting occurred at 11:39 p.m. in the 700 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue, authorities report.

The victim and suspect became embroiled in a verbal confrontation when the suspect pulled out a silver semi-automatic handgun and pointed it at the victim, Pasadena Police Lt. Pete Hettema said.

The victim was close enough to the suspect to brush aside the gun, which discharged a single round into the ground. The suspect fled.

The victim suffered a wound to his hand, possibly a “slide bite” from the gun slide’s rapid action after it fired.

Pasadena Fire Department responded to the scene and Hettema said the victim was not transported for further medical attention.

The suspect, described as an Hispanic man in his thirties wearing a light colored shirt and jacket and blue jeans, escaped on foot, Hettema said.