IDENTITY RELEASED OF DEPUTY WHO SHOT TRANSIENT IN SANTEE

By Miriam Raftery

September 17, 2017 (Santee) – The officer who shot Robert Westbrook on State Route 125 the evening of September 8^th has been identified as Deputy Freddy Herrero. He has been employed as a deputy sheriff with the San Diego Sheriff’s station for four years and is assigned to the Santee Sheriff’s station.

According to the Sheriff, Westbrook, 31, a transient white male living out of his vehicle, was shot and after threatening suicide and displaying a BB or pellet gun resembling a semiautomatic pistol.  He sustained multiple gunshot wounds but is expected to survive.

Deputies responded to a report of a man threatening to kill himself.  At 6:55 p.m. a deputy found the man inside a parked vehicle on the right shoulder or northbound State Route 125 just north of the Grossmont College Drive exit.

According to the Sheriff’s department, after the deputy made contact, Westbrook exited his vehicle, armed with what appeared to be a handgun. A confrontation ensued, which ended with shots fired by the deputy.

“Detectives have obtained witness statements indicating Mr. Westbrook stated an unfortunate intent to have a law enforcement officer shoot him,” the Sheriff’s release states. 

Westbrook was treated at the scene, then transported to a hospital for surgery to repair multiple gunshot wounds. He has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon; bail is set at $50,000.

The shooting resulted in shutdown of northbound State Route 125 for several hours during the investigation.