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East County News Service
August 2, 2023 (San Diego) – 
A man who fired shots at a person in the Mesa College area later shot a police dog. A San Diego Police officer shot the suspect, who later died.
At 1:23 a.m.,SDPD received a call from a 26-year-old victim, stating a shooting had occurred outside his residence in the 3500 block of Ben St in San Diego. The victim was not injured. The victim said that when he drove around a white Tesla sedan that was driving erratically, he heard a gunshot.
The Tesla then followed the victim to a parking lot, where a passenger got out of the Tesla and fired rounds at the victim. One of those rounds went into a nearby residence, but no residents were injured. The Tesla then drove away, according to the victim.
According to Lieutenant Joseph Janjura with the San Diego Police homicide unit, “Officers searched the area and located the Tesla. They saw the suspect, a 33-year-old man, in the driver's seat with a handgun in his hands. The officers tried to initiate a high-risk vehicle stop, but the suspect drove away.”
SDPD was able to locate the Tesla on the Mesa College campus after a single vehicle collision. The driver's door was open and no one was inside the vehicle, Lt..Janjura says, adding,”Shortly after, officers located the suspect on foot on Mesa College Circle. The suspect had a gun in his possession and was talking on the phone.”
He says that officers gave verbal commands to the suspect who was “non-compliant and acting erratic,” armed with a handgun that he placed underneath his left armpit. “The suspect made multiple movements, grabbing the gun with his right hand while talking on his cellphone,”Janjura adds.
After multiple verbal commands, the suspect began walking toward an open lot, where a K9 officer deployed his patrol canine partner, Sir, toward the suspect.
“The suspect rotated his body to the right and simultaneously drew his handgun from his armpit,” Lt.Janjura states. “This prompted one officer to fire one round from his rifle, striking the suspect in the upper left area of his torso. The suspect also fired one round.”
That round stuck Sir, the police dog, in the chest. The canine, Sir, was taken to a veterinarian but succumbed to his injuries.
Officers provided medical aid to the suspect before he was transported to Scripps Hospital. He later died his injuries at around 3:20 a.m. His name is being withheld until notification of his family can be made.
No officers were injured.
SDPD tweeted that Sir, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, showed “courage, commitment, and dedication in every situation he faced. He was a beloved member of our department and community.” Sir was the second police canine to die in the line of duty.
The San Diego Police Officers Association sent a Tweet that reads in part,”R.I.P., Sir. You saved lives.”
After the shooting, Mesa College President Ashanti Hands issued this statement: “Currently, there is no indication that anyone from the college was involved. All regular work, classes, services, and activities are expected to continue today. The campus is secure and people should report to work as usual. A police investigation is currently underway and lots 1, 2 and 3 will be closed until further notice, as will Mesa College Circle near the athletics fields.”
Per the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Homicide Unit was called to the scene to conduct the officer-involved-shooting investigation. At this stage of the investigation, the motivation and circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation, Lt. Janjura says. Detectives are currently gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“Multiple witnesses saw the suspect with the firearm at the time of the shooting,”says Lt. Janjura.
When the Homicide Unit completes its investigation, it will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the officers bear any criminal liability for their actions. The San Diego Police Department will conduct an administrative investigation into the officer’s discharge of his firearm. The Commission on Police Practices (CPP) will conduct a review of the incident and provide any appropriate recommendations. The Department of Justice was notified of the above incident and declined to respond. The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Attorney’s Office will also be monitoring the investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
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