The California Department of Justice has taken over the investigation into San Diego police’s deadly shooting Tuesday of a man who was reported to be at a City Heights elementary school, pre-school hours, with a gun and a knife.
Typically, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department handles investigations into shootings involving San Diego police, Attorney General Rob Bonta announced, in this case, the California DOJ was taking over the investigation under AB 1506—a 2021 law that requires the state agency to investigate any shooting involving a police officer that results in the death of an unarmed citizen.
San Diego police Lt. Travis Easter said a gun and a knife were found at the scene, but where the weapons were at the time of the shooting remains part of the DOJ’s investigation.
“There’s been things that have developed that has led to the California Department of Justice taking over. Those details I do not have at this time,” Easter said.
The deadly shooting occurred at around 7 a.m. about a block from the Colina Del Sol Park, outside an apartment complex near the intersection of 52nd Street and Orange Avenues.
Police were initially called to nearby Fay Elementary School around 6:43 a.m. for a report of a man sitting on a bench with a gun next to him. He also reportedly had a knife in his hand, according to Lt. Easter. When officers arrived, a man who matched the description from the 911 call was about a block away.
Easter said the arriving officers attempted to use de-escalation techniques, including deploying bean bag rounds and an officer K-9, to subdue the individual, but their efforts were fruitless. Ultimately, shots were fired, although it was not immediately clear how many or by how many officers, he said.
The man, who has not yet been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses in the area described hearing the shooting just before 7 a.m.
“I was having my coffee this morning and then I heard like 9 shots and usually people are popping off fireworks but it didn’t sound like that,” neighbor David Corpus said. “I went to the top of the alley and then I saw a body at the top of the street.”
Neighbor Lerron Wright said he woke up to the sounds of what he thought was arguing outside his window.
“I thought it was someone agitated but then I heard cop cars and that’s when I thought, ‘Something is up here,’” Wright said. “That is when I got my shoes and went outside and then I saw [police] covering up the guy on Orange Avenue … It was jarring.”
The California DOJ said once its investigation is completed, it would be turned over to its criminal law division for review.
SDPD Lt. Travis Easter said classes were being held at Fay Elementary School, as usual, and there was no threat to the community.
Some roads were cordoned off for hours as the California DOJ investigated the incident, including a portion of Orange Avenue and 51st Street were closed.
This is a developing story. Details may change as information is released.
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