OFFICER KILLS SUSPECT WHO FATALLY SHOT WOMAN AND DOG IN ENCANTO

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2023 (San Diego) – A SWAT team standoff last night ended in a hail of gunfire that killed a man who opened fire on police, after fatally shooting a woman and a dog, then setting fire to the home.

San Diego Police responded to a call reporting shots fired at a home in the 500 block of Iona Drive in Encanto at 8:42 p.m. The first officer to arrive minutes later found a woman and a dog on the driveway, both with multiple gunshot wounds. When officers approached to provide aid to the woman, the suspect opened fire on them from inside the home.

According to Lieutenant Steve Shebloski, one officer exchanged gunfire with the suspect, then coordinated an emergency rescue of the victim, utilizing a patrol vehicle as the suspect kept firing.  Officers were able to move the woman away from the scene and provided life-saving measures until paramedics from San Diego Fire-Rescue. Unfortunately, despite those efforts, the woman succumbed to her injuries on her upper body and leg and died at the scene.

Due to the extreme situation, SDPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was dispatched.  A stand-off ensued, but the suspect refused to surrender and set fire to the garage.

With a perimeter set and nearby residences evacuated, multiple commands were given to the suspect to peacefully surrender. Still armed with a rifle, the suspect was shot by an officer.  Life saving measures were performed on the suspect prior to being transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased near 11 p.m.

Multiple firearms were found in the home including a rifle, shotgun and handgun.

The names of the victim and suspect are being withheld pending notification of their families.

No officers or other civilians were injured during the incident. 

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.  Detectives are currently gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

When the Homicide Unit completes its investigation, it will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. 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.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.