News Summary
A deputy from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department shot a suspect during an arrest attempt at a Lake Forest strip mall. The suspect, Ethan Chase Mull, was wanted for multiple felony charges and allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at deputies, prompting the shooting. Mull was transported to a local hospital after sustaining injuries. An ongoing investigation by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office is examining the incident, which led to a K-9 officer biting a deputy and resulted in property damage at a nearby business.
Lake Forest
On August 7, 2025, an Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputy shot a felony suspect during an arrest attempt at a strip mall in Lake Forest. The incident occurred shortly before 3 p.m. and involved 34-year-old Ethan Chase Mull, who was wanted on several felony warrants related to theft, weapons, and drug offenses.
Mull was also a suspect in a domestic violence incident that occurred the previous day, though further details regarding that situation have not been disclosed. Law enforcement officials tracked Mull to a location near El Toro Road and Trabuco Road as he exited a retail store. When deputies attempted to detain him, Mull allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at them. This action prompted a deputy to fire his weapon, striking Mull in the process.
At the scene, deputies recovered the loaded handgun. Notably, Mull did not fire any shots at the deputies during the confrontation. He received medical assistance on-site before being transported by the Orange County Fire Authority to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery. As of 6:30 p.m. on the day of the shooting, his medical condition had not been reported.
Scene of the Incident
The gunfire caused a bullet hole to appear in the front window of a nearby Postal Annex as a result of the altercation. Law enforcement response included a sheriff’s K-9 team, which resulted in one deputy being bitten by the K-9; however, this incident was unrelated to the shooting itself. The injured deputy was treated at a local hospital and was subsequently released, with no other deputies experiencing injuries during the confrontation.
Ongoing Investigation
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is currently investigating the deputy-involved shooting. As part of the investigation, audio and video recordings from the scene will be released in accordance with legal requirements.
Background on the Suspect
Ethan Chase Mull has a history of legal troubles. He was previously convicted in 2018 for felony assault with a deadly weapon, followed by additional criminal charges in 2023 that included firearms and drug offenses. Mull received a sentence of three years in prison for various charges in 2023 but had violated post-release community supervision on two separate occasions, leading to an active warrant being issued in 2025.
In July 2025, Mull faced multiple charges, including burglary and possession of firearms and controlled substances, linked to an incident where he attempted to steal items from a Public Storage facility in Irvine. His ongoing pattern of criminal behavior and previous convictions cemented his status as a significant suspect leading up to the shooting in Lake Forest.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Orange County Register
- Wikipedia: Lake Forest, California
- Patch: Suspect Shot by Deputy in Lake Forest
- Google Search: Lake Forest shooting
- Orange County Register: Lake Forest Man Shot by Deputies
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Criminal Justice
- ABC7: Orange County Sheriff’s New Video
- Google News: Orange County shooting
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
