San Diego police fatally shoot man they say was suicidal and holding a gun to his head

Three San Diego law enforcement officials shot and killed a person who they mentioned was suicidal and had held a handgun to his head Thursday, officers mentioned.

The taking pictures occurred round 1 p.m. on forty second Road close to College Avenue in Metropolis Heights, after police responded to experiences of a person using a bicycle and armed with a gun on Central Avenue close to Orange Avenue, San Diego County Sheriff’s Lt. Kevin Ralph mentioned.

When officers approached the person, he ran. Officers caught as much as the person in an alley, the place he put the gun to his head and requested them to shoot him, the lieutenant mentioned.

The person then took off once more.

On forty second Road, the person “produced” the gun, Ralph mentioned. Officers instructed him to drop it. “After not complying with the directions, officers deployed less-lethal beanbags, hanging the topic,” Ralph mentioned.

The person fell, and as he obtained up with the gun in hand, three officers shot him, the lieutenant mentioned.

The person, described as 25 to 35 years previous, died earlier than he may very well be taken to a hospital. He had not but been recognized as of Thursday night.

Ralph mentioned it was not but identified whether or not the person pointed the gun at officers or whether or not the weapon was actual.

Witness Michael Breitenstein, who co-owns Inscriptu, a printing firm on the nook of College Avenue and forty second Road, mentioned he seen the police presence and walked over to the scene. He mentioned he noticed a small group of officers standing across the man, who was holding a gun to his head within the driveway of an residence constructing.

Breitenstein mentioned the person moved the gun from one hand to the opposite no less than twice.

Officers had their weapons drawn and a police canine close by, and repeatedly instructed the person to drop the weapon, Breitenstein mentioned.

Officers fired a beanbag shotgun no less than twice, and the person fell to the bottom, the witness mentioned. He mentioned he then heard 5 or 6 gunshots. He mentioned he was undecided whether or not the person pointed the gun at officers after he fell to the bottom.

Sheriff’s detectives had been investigating the taking pictures in accordance with a countywide coverage that ensures legislation enforcement companies don’t examine shootings by their very own officers or deputies.

Ralph mentioned the taking pictures was captured on officers’ body-worn cameras. State legislation requires police to launch video of police shootings inside 45 days. The San Diego Police Division goals to conform inside 10 days, in keeping with its web site.