A man suspected of vehicle theft was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy at an Otay Mesa shopping center parking lot, authorities announced on Sunday.
San Diego police homicide Capt. Rich Freedman told OnScene TV, and other media outlets at the scene that San Diego Sheriffs deputies in plainclothes responded to a stolen vehicle report and requested for uniformed deputies to respond at approximately 9:20 a.m. Deputies made the report on Roll Drive, south of Siempre Viva Road, just north of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
According to Freedman, the uniformed deputies approached the car and asked the occupants to get out, removing two passengers, a man, and a woman. Homicide Lt. Andra Brown said the driver of the vehicle did not comply with uniformed deputies.
In an attempt to flee, the driver backed out of the parking stall and crashed into several other vehicles, and knocked two deputies to the ground, prompting one to open fire according to Freedman.
According to Freedman, deputies attempted first aid once they saw the driver was shot but was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities detained the two passengers for questioning.
Police identified the driver as a 27-year-old San Diego resident, though his name was not released.
Anyone with information was asked to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531- 2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
