At least one deputy opened fire in a neighborhood south of Lake Jennings Wednesday, officials said.
Deputies received a call shortly before 10:30 a.m. in the 9200 block of Briette Place in Lakeside on Wednesday,, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. They found the man on a nearby embankment near the 13000 block of Pinkard Way.
During the course of the encounter, the man — who has been identified as Eric Ralls, 30 — told a deputy he had a firearm, concealed both hands behind his rear waistband, then suddenly pulled his hands free and extended his arms out with his hands together and pointed toward the deputy, the sheriff’s department said.
“The deputy fired one round from his service weapon at the male, missing him,” said a release from the Sheriff’s Office. “The male ran from the deputy and was apprehended by other responding deputies moments later.”
The firearm the man claimed to possess was not located at the scene.
Ralls was transported to Sharp Grossmont Hospital for evaluation due to the previously mentioned possible overdose at the location. He remains in stable condition.
“While inside the ambulance and on the way to the hospital the male kicked a medic,” the release added..
Ralls faces charges of deterring a peace officer from performing his duty and assaulting an emergency personnel member.
The San Diego Police Department was called in to investigate the shooting under terms of a countywide agreement among law enforcement agencies that is designed to prevent conflicts of interest after use-of-force incidents.
Story updated Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2025 at 11:28 a.m. to add details and identify the suspect.
