Man suspected of homicide dies in officer-involved shooting

By SDCN Editor

Oceanside, CA–A man suspected of killing a woman in her home Thursday night died in an officer-involved shooting following a vehicle pursuit from Riverside to North County, authorities said. 

The Oceanside Police Department received multiple calls about a family disturbance at around 11:56 p.m. in the 500 block of Fredricks Avenue in Oceanside, including reports of gunshots. 

Officers responded to the residence and discovered a 34-year-old Black female inside the home suffering from gunshot wounds. She did not survive her injuries. 

Oceanside detectives from their Crimes of Violence Unit began investigating the homicide and gathered evidence that the victim was killed by a 28-year-old Black male she was in a relationship with. 

Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies located the homicide suspect in a vehicle at 2:10 a.m. on Interstate-15 and Winchester Road in Temecula. When deputies tried to stop the vehicle, the driver failed to yield. Deputies pursued the vehicle through Fallbrook and back into Oceanside. 

The pursuit ended when the suspect stopped in the parking lot of a strip mall in the 500 block of Vandegrift Boulevard in Oceanside. The suspect exited his vehicle, produced a firearm, and began shooting at officers. At least one police vehicle was struck by the suspect’s gunfire. An Oceanside officer and a Riverside County Sheriff’s deputy fired multiple times at the suspect with their service weapons. 

The suspect fled on foot through the parking lot with officers chasing him. At the intersection of Gold Drive and Sol Drive, the suspect died from a gunshot wound. Based on the preliminary information gathered, it appears the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot. It is unclear if he was struck by officers’ rounds, San Diego Police Lieutenant Jud Campbell said in the department’s news release.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner will determine the suspect’s cause of death and injuries. 

The Oceanside Police officer involved in the shooting has been employed by Oceanside Police for about nine years. He is currently assigned as a canine handler.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s deputy has been employed by the department for about two years. He is currently assigned to patrol.

Per the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, the San Diego Police Homicide Unit was called to the scene to conduct the officer-involved shooting investigation. Detectives are currently gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. 

According to the San Diego Police Department, the investigation and review process for officer-involved shootings are extremely thorough. When the homicide unit completes its investigation, it will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the officers bear any criminal liability for their actions. Oceanside police and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office will conduct an administrative investigation into their officers’ discharges of their firearms. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Attorney’s Office will also be monitoring the investigation. 

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Information specifically about the homicide can also be provided to Oceanside Police at (760) 435-4900 or through Crime Stoppers.