LA deputy fakes story of being shot at by sniper

A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy is facing a criminal investigation after he falsely claimed he was shot by a sniper, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Angel Reinosa made a radio call from the parking lot of the Lancaster sheriff’s station reporting he had been shot at twice from an apartment building.

"I'm taking shots from the north of the Lancaster helipad, I'm hit in the right shoulder," said Reinosa.

"My shirt's ripped to the right. I think it's from the apartment window."

[Screenshot taken from BBC video]

Reinosa went back to the station while a SWAT team and armored vehicles responded.

Police launched a massive manhunt through the apartment building for the alleged sniper.

Detectives said they saw "no visible injuries" on Reinosa at the hospital and "there were many things that didn't add up," according to Sheriff's Captain Kent Wegener.

Reinosa later admitted that "he was not shot as previously claimed" and used a knife to cut two holes in his shirt, according to the LA Times.

[Screenshot taken from BBC video]

The deputy "failed to provide information regarding his motivation for this act," said Wegener.

"We are all appalled and disappointed. We took the deputy at his word at first," Sheriff Alex Villanueva said. "We intend to hold the individual responsible for breaking the law and most importantly for betraying the community."

"Our deputies responded to a cry for help and did exactly what they have been trained to do to protect our civilian staff, residents and community. Our community and other first responder partners worked side by side with us to move quickly, effectively and efficiently. There is no shame in that," said a post on the Facebook page of Lancaster Sheriff's Station.

"Just in case some of our incredible men and women in tan and green are feeling "embarrassed/angry/ashamed" today, let us remind you of who you really are. One moment does not leave your legacy, the work you do, day in, day out does. My hero wears a badge," the post said.