Authorities on Wednesday publicly named the man fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy after a chase that ended in a confrontation at a business in National City.
Gene Stewart, 46, of Lakeside is believed to have fired at Detective Douglas Akers before Akers shot him at the auto lot, according to the San Diego Police Department, which investigates uses of lethal force by San Diego County Sheriff’s personnel under the terms of a countywide agreement.
The encounter began shortly before 1:30 p.m. Friday, when deputies stopped a white Acura occupied by two men and a woman in the 200 block of Mile of Cars Way, SDPD Lt. Lou Maggi said.
After the driver of the car pulled over, Stewart jumped out of the front passenger seat and ran, Maggi said.
As deputies searched the area, a witness flagged them down and reported seeing a man run onto the lot of a nearby Dodge dealership and get into a parked tow truck.
Along with a National City Police Department officer, Akers approached the truck and ordered Stewart to surrender. At that point, Stewart apparently opened fire in Akers’ direction, shattering a window on the tow truck before the detective shot him, Maggi said.
Investigators found a gun near Stewart’s body, according to police.
Akers, who has been with the sheriff’s office for about 35 years, was treated at a hospital for minor cuts caused by flying shards from the shattered window, Maggi said.
