Deputies Shoot, Kill Man Accused of Trespassing at Ex-Girlfriend’s Spring Valley Home

San Diego police are investigating a shooting in Spring Valley in which seven San Diego County deputies fired upon a trespassing suspect, killing him.

The shooting was preceded by a 90-minute standoff in which the suspect allegedly fired randomly from the backyard of a home before confronting the sheriff’s deputies and raising his gun, drawing their fire.

Homicide detectives from the San Diego Police Department stepped in to investigate under the terms of a countywide memorandum of understanding among law enforcement agencies regarding officer-involved shootings. 

The incident began when deputies responded to a report of a man armed with a gun in the 900 block of Leland Street just before 3:20 p.m. Friday.

The woman who made the call identified the man as her ex-boyfriend and told dispatchers he had entered her house through the back door and was acting erratically with children present, according to an SDPD news release. She also said that the ex-boyfriend suffered from mental health issues and was under the influence. 

When deputies arrived, they met the woman outside and learned that four children were still inside the house, with the suspect in the backyard.  Deputies entered and were able to safely escort the children out.

At that point, deputies moved along the side of the house and attempted to talk to the suspect.  Later, at approximately 4:26 p.m., police said the suspect fired at least two shots in the backyard in an unknown direction. 

The deputies retreated to perimeter positions on the street as the suspect re-entered the house. Approximately 30 minutes later, the suspect exited the front door, allegedly raising his firearm and pointing in the direction of deputies.  Seven of them fired their weapons striking the suspect multiple times. 

Deputies attempted lifesaving aid, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.  A firearm, a black semi-automatic handgun, was recovered and secured by investigators. 

No officers were injured. The suspect, a 34-year-old Hispanic male, has been identified but authorities withheld his name. 

Police said he preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect “possibly fired” through the front door to the street and that he came out several times, “waving the gun around” before confronting the deputies. 

Detectives continue to review video and gather evidence, including trajectory analysis, to determine the suspect’s exact actions, including how many times he fired his gun and if he fired it while inside the house.

The involved deputies had body worn cameras and law enforcement helicopters were overhead as the incident transpired.