A San Diego police officer shot and killed a man Tuesday night in downtown San Diego, authorities said.
Police were responding to a reported assault around 8:45 p.m. on Broadway near Kettner Boulevard when they heard gunfire at a nearby trolley platform and went to investigate. Officers encountered a man in his early 20s on Kettner near West B Street, and that’s when the shooting occurred, said sheriff’s homicide Lt. Michael Krugh, whose team is investigating the shooting.
Investigators didn’t elaborate on what occurred during the encounter before one of the officers fired his gun, mortally wounding the man. A handgun was subsequently recovered “from the male individual at the scene,” Krugh said in a statement.
Officers rendered medical aid until paramedics arrived, and the man was taken to a hospital, where he died. No officers were injured.
Krugh said there is security video of the incident. There also is body-worn camera video of the fatal shooting, he said.
The officer’s name was not released. Krugh said he has worked for the department for just over two years and is a patrol officer at the Central Division.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives are investigating the shooting under a countywide memorandum of understanding that ensures agencies do not investigate shootings and in-custody deaths involving their own officers.
Krugh said detectives are still gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. After the investigation is completed, the case will be reviewed by the county District Attorney’s Office to determine if the officer will face prosecution.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call homicide investigators at 858-285-6330 or after hours at 858-868-3200. Anonymous tips can be left with Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
This is the second investigation of a death involving San Diego police undertaken by sheriff’s officials this week. On Saturday, a man died after being restrained by a bar security guard and patron and then two San Diego police officers in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Authorities said the man had been involved in some sort of disturbance inside the bar and bit a security guard on the arm before struggling with officers. He was put into handcuffs, and one officer restrained the man’s legs. By the time paramedics arrived, he was unresponsive and had no pulse. He died at a hospital.
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