Startled Deputy Shoots Woman In Her Own Backyard

Sheriff says it was a "spontaneous reaction." Maybe he thought she was a dog.

An investigation was under way Monday into a deputy-involved shooting in which a Spring Valley woman was shot by a deputy who was checking her backyard for a masked man.

Deputies were called to 8900 block of Leigh Avenue shortly before 10:30 p.m. Sunday to investigate a suspicious man seen in the area wearing a ski mask, according to San Diego County sheriff's homicide Lt. Larry Nesbit.

Deputies arrived and determined the man had left the area, walking away in an eastbound direction, Nesbit said in a statement.