Heartland Fire and Rescue engine
A Heartland Fire and Rescue engine. Courtesy of the department

A roadside confrontation over a suspected auto theft attempt in an East County commercial district escalated Thursday into a shooting that left a man dead, authorities reported.

The events that led to the fatal gunfire began shortly before 9:30 a.m., when an off-duty security guard interrupted a possible vehicle burglary or carjacking in the 1300 block of East Main Street in El Cajon, according to police.

“During the incident, the owner of the vehicle (became) involved, and an altercation ensued,” said police Lt. Royal Bates. “At some point during the altercation, the vehicle owner fired a handgun, striking and killing the suspect.”

The mortally wounded man, whose name was not immediately available, died at the scene of the shooting, said Sonny Saghera, spokesman for Heartland Fire & Rescue.

Details about the deadly confrontation — including whether the shooter will face criminal charges — remained scarce in the late afternoon.

“The (El Cajon Police Department) Investigations Division is still in the early stages of gathering information, and we will release details as we learn more about what occurred,” Bates said.

Updated at 6 p.m. March 28, 2019

— City News Service