Rideshare driver shoots man who brutally attacked woman in Orange County – NBC Los Angeles

A rideshare driver in Orange County said he responded in a “fight or flight” manner after shooting a naked man he saw attacking a woman.

Turan Sanders was dropping off a passenger nearby when he noticed the man running toward the woman near the dumpster area of ​​a Stanton apartment complex shortly before 8 p.m. on Sunday.

The driver reacted immediately and fired a warning shot, but this did not stop the man from attacking the 60-year-old woman.

“This woman was defenseless. He started to brutally beat her – he kicked her with his knee and slammed her head into the ground,” Sanders said.

The man then stormed toward Sanders’ vehicle and repeatedly hit the glass window.

“I knew he wasn’t going to stop. I took aim and dropped him,” Sanders said.

The bullet hit the man in the neck and Sanders immediately called 911.

The man he shot was a 20-year-old who lives in the area, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. He was taken to a hospital where he is in critical but stable condition.

Investigators questioned Sanders but later released him. He said he did not regret his actions.

“He could have potentially killed that woman,” Sanders said. “I just reacted. I believe in fight or flight. I didn’t want to flee and put her through what she went through.”

Neighbors in the area said they were glad Sanders was there at the right time.

“He did the right thing. At the right place at the right time to protect the woman,” said a neighbor who did not want to give his name.

Sanders said that while he appreciates compliments, he does not need recognition for his achievements.

“I did it from the bottom of my heart. I felt it had to be done,” Sanders said.

According to authorities, the woman who was attacked was treated for minor injuries and did not require hospital care.