A man killed in a shootout with San Diego police in a 4S Ranch shopping center late Thursday has been identified as a 46-year-old San Diego resident.
Sheriff’s officials said Curtis Harris was killed after he pulled a gun and shot at officers in the parking lot of a Ralphs grocery store, injuring a police sergeant.
Someone called police about 10 p.m. to report a stolen vehicle and a prior domestic violence incident. Police said they received a suspect description and information that he was a felon and known to carry a firearm, said sheriff’s Lt. Joseph Jarjura. Sheriff’s officials are investigating the shooting under a countywide agreement that ensures no agency investigates its own police shootings.
Police found the car about 11:30 p.m. at the 4S Commons Town Center on 4S Commons Drive near Rancho Bernardo Road.
Jarjura said officers were trying to serve Harris with an emergency protection order when they approached him at the store. The victim in the protective order, which had been signed by a judge, lived near the shopping center, he said.
It was unclear when the order had been issued or when the alleged prior domestic violence incident had occurred.
Officers found the suspect inside of the store, and as police approached, he ran outside. Harris allegedly turned and fired multiple rounds at officers in the parking lot — striking a sergeant in the head. A round also struck a police vehicle, Jarjura said.
Three officers fired at Harris, who was struck and fell to the ground. Police said a firearm was located near Harris, who was also carrying a loaded magazine.
Officers rendered medical aid to the suspect and the sergeant, and both were transported by medics to separate hospitals.
Harris was pronounced dead around 1 a.m.
The sergeant, who has not been identified, was “stable,” police said Monday. He has been with the department around six years, police officials said.
Names of the officers involved in the shooting also have not been released. Footage of the incident was recorded on body-worn cameras, officials said earlier.
San Diego officers have faced more gun threats in 2023 than the previous two years combined, according to data maintained by the department’s homicide unit.
Since January, two officers have been shot, five officers have been shot at and three officers have been threatened with firearms. And in August, a suspect fatally shot a 4-year-old police dog named Sir.
