San Diegans continued to show support Wednesday for two local sheriff’s deputies wounded in the line of duty during a Lakeside shootout last month.
Detective Ali Perez and Sgt. Craig Johnson were shot by alleged suspect Dan Witczak during a gun battle at 12701 Mapleview St. on Sept. 25.
Perez, who has had several surgeries since the shootout, was shot at least twice with a high-powered gun -- including once in the stomach. He also suffered severe damage to vital arteries in his arm, as well as some damage to his shoulder.
Perez was moved this past Saturday from the intensive care unit at Sharp Memorial Hospital where he's been getting treatment.
Since the Lakeside shooting, the community has held several blood drives in honor of the wounded deputies.
On Wednesday, Millennium Laboratories hosted two more blood drives for Perez and Johnson at the La Mesa Police Department.
Blood collected at the drives will be used for the deputies’ care. Other blood not matching their types will be put into general use at the Blood Bank.
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According to Bill Gore of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, the blood drives mean a lot to the wounded deputies.
"[Perez] has some surgeries ahead of him and it's going to be a difficult rehabilitation time, so all the thoughts and prayers, and blood drives like today at La Mesa Police Department mean so much to everybody in law enforcement,” Gore told NBC 7.
