[SPRING VALLEY, Calif. — Thurs Jan. 22, 12:40 p.m.]
A stolen-vehicle pursuit that began in San Diego ended Thursday afternoon in Spring Valley with an officer-involved shooting after a suspect crashed and appeared to reach toward what officers believed was a firearm, according to authorities.
San Diego Police said officers first received a report of a stolen vehicle near Euclid Avenue and Imperial Avenue. When an officer attempted to stop the vehicle a short time later, the driver fled, leading police on a pursuit through surface streets. Spike strips were deployed, but the vehicle continued east before crashing into a light pole near Jamacha Road and Gillespie Drive.
The traffic collision that ended the pursuit is being investigated separately by the California Highway Patrol. The officer-involved shooting is being investigated independently by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit under countywide protocol.
Body-worn camera video released by SDPD shows multiple officers surrounding the crashed vehicle as the suspect is on his knees near the driver’s door. Officers can be heard giving overlapping commands. One officer states he has “lethal” coverage, directs another officer to get the taser, and repeatedly warns the suspect not to reach toward what officers believed was a gun lying on the ground several feet away.
As the suspect leans in the direction of the object and then briefly pauses, the officer fires two shots. The suspect collapses to the ground, and the released video ends. Officers were reported to have rendered medical aid before transporting him to a hospital. Authorities later said the suspect’s injuries were serious but not life-threatening.
The object shown in the police-released video appears to be a small, realistic replica firearm rather than a functional gun, though investigators emphasized that officers did not have that information at the time of the shooting.
Separate from the police-released footage, a bystander video recorded from across the street circulated rapidly on social media within minutes of the incident. From that vantage point, the suspect appears to be on his knees when shots are fired, and officers’ verbal commands are difficult to hear. The video sparked widespread anger online, with many viewers concluding the suspect was compliant.
Against that backdrop, SDPD made the uncommon decision to release body-worn camera video just hours after the shooting. Under California law, agencies have up to 45 days to release critical-incident video, and SDPD has historically waited weeks before doing so. Officials did not explain the accelerated release, though the timing coincided with heightened public reaction to the bystander footage.
The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit investigation will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether the officer bears any criminal liability. SDPD will also conduct an internal administrative review. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
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