[chris]

On Thursday, August 7, 2025, Orange County sheriff's deputies were made aware of a possible assault with a deadly weapon in Lake Forest, California.

The suspect was identified as Ethan Chase Mole. Radio traffic described him as accused of assaulting someone with an 8-inch curved blade, carrying a black revolver and a knife, possibly being high on meth, and having a recent arrest involving a suppressed AR-15, handguns, loaded magazines, and body armor. The radio traffic also said he had made statements about shooting it out with law enforcement during a future contact.

Deputies found Mole's motorcycle parked outside a smoke shop in Lake Forest. With help from the sheriff's helicopter, Duke, deputies watched him leave the shop. Plainclothes tactical apprehension deputies moved in to contact him.

As they tried to contact him, Mole pointed a handgun at deputies, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. Mole was struck. Deputies handcuffed him, provided medical aid, and called County Fire.

Mole was taken to a hospital and was expected to survive.