The San Diego Police Department is investigating a San Diego sheriff’s deputy-involved shooting near the Imperial Beach pier that left one man dead Sunday afternoon.
The shooting took place at about 1:40 p.m. on the sidewalk directly in front of the Imperial Beach sign that leads to the pier, where people were gathered at an event known as the Christmas By The Sea Pow Wow.
“During the contact, the male stepped away from the deputies and produced a knife,” said a release from the San Diego Police Department, which is now handling the investigation.
“The male made statements consistent with wanting to be shot by the deputies, then advanced toward them holding the knife in his hand. One deputy fired multiple shots at the man, striking him at least once.”
The man did not survive his injuries.
“This is a painful and frightening situation for our community, and my heart is with everyone grieving and affected by the traumatic event that happened in IB this weekend,” said Supervisor Paloma Aguirre, whose district includes Imperial Beach.
When a deputy uses a firearm, especially during a well-attended family-oriented event, people deserve transparency and accountability. That means a thorough investigation and sharing of information — including body-worn camera footage — as soon as the law allows, so we can all understand what happened.”
She added that she expects the investigative process to move forward without delay, and that she plans to keep the community updated and informed.
Sheriff’s officials referred media to the San Diego Police Department, but they had previously posted on social media that deputies were at the scene of a shooting involving at least one deputy near Evergreen Avenue and Seacoast Drive.
“Please avoid this area,” the post said. “There is no danger to the community. We appreciate your cooperation during this incident.”
The San Diego Police Department is investigating the shooting under the 2022 Countywide Memorandum of Agreement signed by 17 law enforcement agencies, including SDPD and the Sheriff’s Office.
At the time, the sheriff’s department described the purpose of the agreement as providing transparent and independent investigations into law enforcement shootings.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or San Diego Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
This story was updated on Mon., Dec. 22, at 5:20 p.m.
