Man shot dead by Chula Vista police sergeant after allegedly firing at officers

A man is dead after a shooting involving police closed a street in Chula Vista early Wednesday.

The shooting happened at around 1 a.m. on the 700 block of H Street and Marina Parkway, just north of Sandpiper Way. That road was closed for the duration of the investigation.

The shooting occurred after police were called out to a solo car crash. A man inside a white sedan with front-end damage did not comply to get out of the car. Additional officers arrived at the scene and tried to get the man out of the car and even deployed pepper balls, San Diego Police Lt. Jud Campbell said. At one point, the man revved his engine but was not able to drive away.

Then, officers saw what appeared to be a gun in the man's hand, and after about 30 minutes of commands, the suspect then opened the door, flashed the firearm and fired at least one shot in the direction of the officers, Lt. Campbell said.

"One of the officers on the scene, a sergeant with the Chula Vista Police Department returned fire, striking the suspect," SDPD Lt. Campbell said.

The man was struck in the upper torso. He was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The identity of the man is not being released pending family notification. He is believed to be a man in his 50s.

No officers were injured. A weapon was recovered at the scene, Lt. Campbell said.

*COMMUNITY ALERT*
The 700 Block of H St (west of I-5 overpass) & Marina Pkwy north of Sandpiper Way is currently blocked to investigate an officer involved shooting that occurred at approx 1:30 am. Please avoid the area. Officers uninjured - one suspect transported to hospital.

— Chula Vista Police Department (@ChulaVistaPD) July 10, 2024

The involved sergeant is currently assigned to patrol, SDPD said. He has been employed by the Chula Vista Police Department for approximately 23 years. 

SDPD is investigating the incident under a countywide protocol that ensures no department investigates its own officer-involved shootings.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. 

No other information was available.

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