DEA AGENT SHOOTS NARCOTICS SUSPECT

A Santa Paula man was shot in the head by an agent from the Drug
Enforcement Administration after the man pointed a handgun at authorities
in his front yard, Police Chief Bob Gonzales said.

Edward Barron, 22, was shot at least three times during the Wednesday night
confrontation with DEA agents and Santa Paula police officers, Gonzales
said. Barron was listed in critical condition Thursday at Ventura County
Medical Center, officials said.

Gonzales said a law enforcement task force had arrived about 7:50 p.m. at
Barron's Santa Barbara Street home to arrest him on suspicion of narcotics
violations when he produced a long-barreled revolver and took cover behind
a car. The agent, whose name was not released, fired a semiautomatic
handgun from about 20 feet after Barron pointed his weapon, Gonzales said.

The confrontation followed a two-month investigation into alleged drug
sales at Barron's home, Gonzales said.