Despite being shot several times, investigators say the man will likely survive his injuries. The officer who fired his weapon is not injured. NBC 7’s Dave Summers reports.
An Escondido police officer shot a man suspected of being armed with a gun during a foot chase Wednesday night, authorities said.
The man, identified Thursday as 34-year-old Antonio Rosales, was found next to a revolver-style BB gun following the shooting, Lt. Jud Campbell with the San Diego Police Department said. Rosales was transported to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and was placed under arrest for brandishing a weapon in the presence of an officer and resisting arrest.
SDPD is investigating the shooting as part of a local memorandum that prevents an agency from investigating uses of force by their own officers.
Officers with the Escondido Police Department were originally called to the Escondido Transit Center at 700 West Valley Parkway for a report that a man was waving a gun. When officers arrived, they located the suspect who ran eastbound, prompting a foot chase, Sgt. Russ Whitaker with the EPD said.
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About halfway between North Quince Street and Centre City Parkway, the man turned quickly toward an officer and pulled out what appeared to be a gun, Campbell said. That officer then shot the man multiple times on a bike path east of North Quince Street, Escondido police said.
SDPD said another officer and a sergeant were also involved in the pursuit but did not fire their weapons.
The patrol officer who fired his weapon has been with the department for three years, Campbell said. Investigators are reviewing body-worn camera that was activated at the time of the pursuit and shooting, he added.
Police say no officers were injured in the shooting.
Rosales is expected to remain hospitalized. The District Attorney's Office is considering conducting his arraignment from the hospital.
Once SDPD concludes its investigation, it will be reviewed by the District Attorney's office to determine if the officer was conducted per protocol. EPD will conduct its own investigation. It is not yet clear if the officer was placed on administrative leave as a result of the shooting.
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information arrives.
