Officer-involved shooting with armed man under investigation

By SDCN Editor

Escondido, CA–Authorities are investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting of an armed man caught sleeping at a mobile home complex in Escondido on Friday.

Escondido police received a call about a man sleeping in a sleeping bag on the porch of a mobile home in the 2500 block of East Valley Parkway. 

As officers responded, the call was updated to state that the man had gotten up and was pushing a blue motorcycle through the mobile home complex. 

At around 6:50 a.m., two patrol officers from Escondido police contacted a man matching the description from the call pushing a motorcycle inside the complex. They began speaking to him. During the contact, based on the information provided by the man, officers learned he had a felony warrant for a parole violation out of Indiana. 

As officers began to detain the man, he turned and began to run. He also began reaching into his waistband. The man then pulled a firearm from his waistband, pointed it across his body at the officers, and fired multiple rounds. Both of the officers fired multiple times at the man, striking him at least one time. He fell on the ground near some bushes. He then rolled over with the gun, again pointing it in the direction of officers, prompting one of them to fire several more rounds at him. 

Officers requested additional officers and resources to the scene. They began rendering aid, including CPR to the man until paramedics arrived. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died.

No officers were injured or struck by gunfire during the incident.

According to Escondido police, the 48-year-old man has been tentatively identified, pending confirmation by the San Diego County Medical Examiner. 

The involved officers are both currently assigned to patrol. One has been employed by the Escondido Police Department for about six years. The other officer has been employed by Escondido Police for about one year.       

Per the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, the San Diego Police Homicide Unit was called to the scene to conduct the officer-involved shooting investigation.         

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 officer bears any criminal liability for his actions. Escondido Police will conduct an administrative investigation into the officer’s discharge of his firearm. The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Attorney’s Office will also be monitoring the investigation.