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By Miriam Raftery
September 9, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — Robert Westbrook, 31, a transient white male living out of his vehicle, was shot and injured last night after threatening suicide and displaying a BB or pellet gun resembling a semiautomatic pistol, according to the Sheriff’s Department. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds but is expected to survive.
Deputies from the Santee substation responded around 6:40 p.m. last night 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, whose name has not yet been released.
The Sheriff’s department suggests the wounded man may have intended to commit suicide at the hands of an officer.
“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.
The shooting is under investigation by the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail.
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.
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