Bishop Shot After Confronting Teens Outside Church
Thursday, Sep 17, 2009 | Updated 6:22 AM PST
A bishop who was shot when he confronted four teenagers during an attempted robbery outside his Orthodox Catholic church in Home Gardens underwent surgery Wedneday, a sheriff's sergeant said.
Bishop Antonio Garduno, 51, was shot outside Our Lady of Tepeyac at 13462 Magnolia Avenue just before 10 p.m. Tuesday, said Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
Garduno underwent surgery Wednesday morning at Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley. He was listed in stable condition.
Five people suspected in a series of robberies have been arrested in connection with the shooting. Sheriff's Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez said Wednesday that five men were taken into custody after five restaurant robberies Tuesday in Los Angeles and Riverside counties.
The bishop was working when he heard some noise in the courtyard to the church, went outside his office to investigate and was confronted by four teens who opened fire, Gutierrez said.
Garduno rushed back in to notify police that he had been shot, he said.
Anyone with information on the shooting was urged to call 951-955-2600.
