More than $25,000 was raised in a barbecue Thursday for the family of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy who was shot in the face by an East L.A. gang member, an official said.

Deputy Mohamed Ahmed, who recently left the hospital after reconstructive surgery, was able to attend the event but could not speak because his jaw was wired, said sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore.

The young Somali-born deputy, who financially supports his mother and several siblings, drew an outpouring of support from the public and from within the department after last month's shooting.

Ahmed and his training officer were on patrol Jan. 11 when they saw Nestor Torres, a 37-year-old parolee, parked in a red zone. The training officer recognized Torres, and as deputies got out of their cruiser, Torres got out of his car and fired at Ahmed, authorities said.

The training officer fired back, fatally wounding Torres.

Ahmed was rushed to a hospital. Doctors still do not know whether they will be able to save Ahmed's wounded eye, Whitmore said.

About 1,000 people were served at the fundraiser, held outside the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, with outside agencies also pitching in donations, Whitmore said.