Overview
- Police responded to reports of a man vandalizing cars and chased him into an Adult Emporium in North Park on Wednesday morning, where officers say he carried a torch and flammable liquid.
- Officers deployed a K-9 and less-lethal bean-bag rounds, the suspect ignited the device and burned the K-9, and officers then fired lethal rounds as the suspect moved toward the store entrance; he was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead.
- Three officers suffered burns to their hands, were treated and released from hospital care, and the injured K-9 was rushed to an emergency veterinary hospital and later released and expected to recover.
- The San Diego County sheriff’s homicide unit has taken over the active investigation, road closures were put in place near 30th Street and Polk Avenue during the response, and investigators continue to collect evidence and witness accounts.
- After the homicide unit finishes its probe the case will be forwarded to the San Diego County district attorney to decide on criminal charges while SDPD conducts a separate administrative review under the local officer‑involved shooting process.