As police officers attempted to handcuff and arrest a man inside his sedan parked in the OB Pier parking lot around 3 a.m. early Monday, he drew a handgun and fatally shot himself.
The unidentified man while sitting in his sedan had been contacted by two officers while “conducting Over-night Vehicle Enforcement.” After the cops approached him, the man “became combative,” sheriff’s Lt. Juan Marquez said.
“As officers attempted to handcuff him, he produced a handgun and shot himself one time,” Marquez said.
Officers immediately rendered medical aid and called for paramedics, but to no avail as he died before he could be taken to a hospital. Marquez also stated:
“Homicide detectives are currently gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
As the SD Union-Tribune reported:
The officers did not discharge their weapons and sustained minor injuries, Marquez said. He said the handgun was recovered at the scene.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shooting under terms of a memorandum of understanding that all local law enforcement agencies have agreed to follow. Under the policy, a department does not investigate fatal shootings involving its own officers.
Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or after hours at 858-868-3200. Callers can remain anonymous if they contact Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
