DETAILS EMERGE IN SANTEE SWAT TEAM SHOOTING

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By Miriam Raftery

August 8, 2016 (Santee) — The man who fired arrows from a crossbow at Sheriff’s deputies in Santee and died after officers returned fire during a SWAT team incident Friday has been identified as Santee resident David Michael Moya, 31.

The Sheriff’s department has also identified the three officers involved in the shooting.  Deputy Robert Kastelic is assigned to the Santee Station and has been employed as a deputy sheriff with the San Diego Sheriff's Department for 9 years. Deputy James Riggin is also assigned to the Santee Station and has been employed as a deputy sheriff with the San Diego Sheriff's Department for 3 years. Deputy Matthew Hemphill is assigned to the Lakeside Sub-Station and has been employed as a deputy sheriff with the San Diego Sheriff's Department for 9 years.

Deputies responded to a call from Moya’s mother, who reported that her son had threatened to kill her, had weapons possibly including an axe and a knife, and might have an undiagnosed mental illness. Lieutenant Greg Rylaarsdam with the Sheriff’s Homicide unit told ECM that “the mother met deputies outside and provided keys to her residence so they could contact her son inside.”

Moya refused deputies’ orders to exit the home and instead, peered around a corner and fired arrows at them from a crossbow. After more SWAT officers arrived, Moya went to an upstairs window and fired more arrows at the deputies. Deputies fired back and a robot later confirmed that Moya was dead.

Although the officers were under fire, some have questioned whether use of deadly force was necessary.

“It’s pretty clear to me that they could have elected to go with the ‘flash-bang grenade” first,” Tom Comeau, who spent 30 years in the military, wrote in an e-mail to ECM. He asked why officers didn’t try less lethal methods such as tear gas, or simply wait for Moya to run out of arrows.

But Jan Caldwell, public information officer for Sheriff Bill Gore, defended the deputies’ actions. She noted that the officers were in danger, adding that “lethal force had to be employed as an arrow can travel long distances and we were concerned for the safety of the community. This was a two-story residence and he had the advantage of elevation and position with a deadly weapon.”  Caldwell said that using tear gas “may have only further angered him and sent him from the structure, into the neighborhood with a bow/arrows, perhaps an axe or knives, and/or guns.” 

Neighbors were asked to shelter in place in their homes during the stand-off.

10 News has reported that Moya posted “kill cops” and other hate speech and threats directed at law enforcement on social media earlier Friday morning—the same day that slain San Diego Police Officer Jonathan DeGuzman was laid to rest.


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Comments

Details emerge in Santee SWAT standoff

Apparently, Mr.Courneu's 30 years military service never included being in any kind of combat situation, other wise I cannot imagine him coming up with the statement he did. Anyone (including me) who has been shot , stabbed at and hit with just about everything imaginable in 32 years with SDPD will tell you that when someone is trying to kill you, you try to kill them first. Given all the surrounding circumstances, the three deputies involved had no other choice. For everyone who might have a problem with that let me say that there are two main rules to being a street cop. number one is to go home to one's family, in one piece, at the end of shift. rule number two, see rule number one

Wait for the suspect run out of arrows?!?

I'm not familiar with that particular military tactic--wait for someone who is actively trying to kill you to run out of ammo? Maybe Mr. Comeau missed the part about the guy firing at officers with a crossbow? He wasn't shooting arrows with cute little suction cups on them from a toy bow. The fact is: arrows or bullets--they're lethal projectiles when fired at human beings. You have a man who has threatened to kill his mother, who has already fired arrows from a crossbow (aka a lethal weapon) at first responders. He then fires at deputies a second time, now from an elevated position, again, with a lethal weapon. The deputies responded absolutely as they should have by returning fire. "Might have an undiagnosed mental illness" does not in anyway excuse the man of shooting at peace officers. Would you be asking that his actions be excused if he was firing at say, his neighbors? Add to that the suspect posted anti law enforcement propaganda hours before deputies were called--I think his intent was pretty clear--to kill cops. I personally doubt it was a coincidence that this began during SDPD Officer deGuzman's memorial service. I have no illusions that law enforcement officers are infallible and I agree that there are cases where other means could and should have been used to stop the aggressor. However, in no way is this situation one of them--rarely are the points of a case as clear cut and justified as this one. I, for one, and glad that these deputies stopped this man before he could hurt anyone. I would like to thank those officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve our communities.