San Diego — September 23, 2005 (6:43 AM, story updated 7:45pm) — A man was shot and killed by police Tuesday morning in the Colina del Sol neighborhood of San Diego.
The incident began with a 6:43 AM call of a man reportedly sitting on the campus of an elementary school with a gun and a knife in his hands, according to SDPD spokesperson Lt. Travis Easter. Officers from SDPD’s Mid-City Division responded to the 5100 block of Orange Avenue, where they attempted de-escalation.
“This morning our department received a call at 6:43 AM of a man sitting on the campus grounds of [an] elementary school with a gun. It was also reported that he had a knife in his hand on the 5100 block of Orange Avenue. Upon contact for de-escalation efforts, de-escalation efforts were not successful, and it ultimately resulted in a shooting. No officers were injured. Unfortunately, the person died at the scene… This investigation will be handled by the Department of Justice. That’s all.” — Lt. Travis Easter, SDPD PIO (via Instagram)
The man was fatally struck in the street in front of 5170 Orange Avenue.
Road closures are in effect on Orange Avenue between 5000–5200 and on 51st Street between 4000–4300. A nearby school was closed for the day as a precaution.
The California Department of Justice is now leading the investigation — a shift from initial SDPD announcements suggesting the Sheriff’s Department would handle it.
An unverified Instagram user, sailorboy.1987, posted a conflicting account claiming the man was homeless and carrying only a book, picture, and water bottle before officers opened fire. SD Slackers has not confirmed this claim, and it remains unverified.
This is early reporting, and official investigative details have not yet been released by SDSO or the DOJ.
(story updated 9.23.25 7:45pm)
