A Chula Vista Police sergeant fatally shot a man who allegedly opened fire on officers Wednesday following a predawn solo traffic accident in an intersection alongside the southeastern reaches of San Diego Harbor.
The events that led to the deadly exchange of gunfire began about 1 a.m., when patrol officers responded to a report of a car crash at Marina Parkway and Sandpiper Way, according to the San Diego Police Department, which investigates police shootings in the South Bay city under terms of a countywide agreement designed to prevent conflicts of interest.
The first officer at the site of the wreck arrived to find a badly damaged white sedan occupied only by the driver, SDPD Lt. Jud Campbell said.
“The officer directed the (man) to turn off the engine and get out of the car,” Campbell said. “The (driver) did not comply and began reaching around inside the car. The officer requested additional (police) units.”
Following the arrival of backup officers, the man continued to ignore the personnel’s commands and remained inside the vehicle, Campbell said.
“During this time, the engine revved, and it appeared the (man) was trying to drive away,” the lieutenant said.
The car stayed put, however, apparently disabled by the front-end damage it had sustained in the crash, Campbell said.
The man remained hunkered down in the sedan even after officers shot tear-gas projectiles into it, according to police.
Finally, about 30 minutes into the standoff, the man allegedly opened one of the doors of the vehicle, pointed a gun at officers and discharged at least one round in their direction, according to Campbell. A patrol sergeant returned fire, mortally wounding the man, the lieutenant said.
Officers performed CPR on the man prior to the arrival of paramedics. An ambulance crew took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name was withheld pending family notification.
No officers were injured during the encounter.
The sergeant who shot the man has been with the Chula Vista Police Department for about 23 years. His name was withheld.
Updated at 1:40 p.m., Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
–City News Service
