DA FINDS OFFICERS JUSTIFIED IN SHOOTING OF DANNY BALDWIN

East County News Service

May 5, 2017 (El Cajon) - San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis today released video of five San Diego County shootings involving officers and civilians, including a video of the shooting death of Danny Martin Baldwin, an El Cajon man who was killed by an officer on New Year's Day.

Baldwin, 56, was killed after an El Cajon police officer saw him walking in traffic carrying a knife, police said.  When Baldwin tried to attack the officer with his knife, the officer shot him four times after tasers proved to be ineffective and after Baldwin threatened to slash his throat twice.

Baldwin survived his injuries and later apologized to officers, Dumanis said. 

"Based on the potential danger to the officers and the bystanders by Mr. Baldwin's erratic behavior while armed with a knife and refusing to surrender, the officers' actions were reasonable under the circumstances," Dumanis said at a press conference this afternoon.

Dumanis also said that the DA's office was releasing video of this and four other San Diego County officer-involved shootings in keeping with protocol reached with law enforcement agencies.

“With context, video evidence can aid the public in understanding how and why an officer-involved shooting occurred,” Dumanis said.

Videos were released of fourth other incidents including Fallbrook, Linda Vista, Vista and San Diego. 

View the videos here.