GUNMAN WOUNDS SHERIFF'S DEPUTY ON ROBBERY CALL.

Byline: Associated Press 

A Los Angeles sheriff's deputy was shot in the face while responding to a liquor store holdup, and two people were arrested, authorities said Sunday.

The deputy, whose name was not released, was in stable condition at a local hospital. His injury was not life-threatening, said sheriff's spokeswoman Deputy Elsa Avila.

At about 11:45 p.m. Saturday, two deputies were responding to a report of an armed robbery at a liquor store in Athens. As one deputy approached the front door, a gunman immediately shot at him and wounded him in his right cheek, Avila said.

While his partner pulled the wounded deputy to safety, the gunman fled the scene.

Deputies later arrested Donald Brooks, 22, in an alley about a block away, Avila said.

Brooks had some money in his pocket that deputies believe was taken during the robbery. Brooks was arrested for investigation of attempted murder of a peace officer and armed robbery. He is being held without bail, Avila said.

Travon Brown, 19, was arrested at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday in a red Ford Escort believed used as a getaway car, said sheriff's Deputy Kimberly Unland.

Brooks also is suspected of pistol-whipping one of two clerks inside the liquor store, authorities said. The clerk was treated at the scene by paramedics. The other clerk was not hurt, Avila said.