A San Diego Police Department (SDPD) sergeant was struck in the head amid a shootout with a suspect sought during a stolen vehicle investigation in 4S Ranch Thursday night, according to law enforcement agencies.
The sergeant was admitted to the ICU and underwent hours of surgery, SDPD said. The unnamed officer was recovering from the procedure around 10:30 a.m. While he remained in serious condition in the intensive care unit, he was expected to recover.
"This is our third officer shot in the last 12 months that’s been shot in the line of duty,” SDPD Chief David Nisleit said. "Anytime an officer is shot, it’s a serious injury so I'm very pleased to say that he is in stable condition.”
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The suspect is dead, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) confirmed. The agency is investigating the incident under a countywide protocol that ensures no department investigates its own officer-involved shootings.
The incident began during a stolen vehicle investigation at the 4S Commons Town Center supermarket parking lot. The sergeant and other officers had located what was believed to be a stolen car in the parking lot at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday, SDSO said.
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The officers located a person who matched a suspect's description inside a store and when officers attempted to contact the suspect, he ran out, SDSO said.
While outside, the suspect fired multiple rounds at the officers and struck one in the head. That prompted multiple officers to return fire, SDSO said. Multiple rounds struck the suspect and the suspect fell to the ground, A firearm was found near him, the agency added.
SDSO was alerted to the incident by several 911 callers who reported a "shootout."
"I look outside, I see a bunch of police cars. I had my car on. Like, I look outside, I see 'bang,' 'bang,' 'bang.' It’s like fireworks and stuff, a bunch of cops and I was like, 'dang that’s crazy,'" witness Sahil Whifie said.
He was with his father, Rhafie, when the shooting began. The two hid behind a car to avoid being hit by a flying bullet. No civilians were injured, SDSO said.
The shooting may have happened at close-range, Nisleit said, but that will be determined by the investigation.
Medical aid was given to both the suspect and the sergeant and both were taken to a hospital, SDSO said. The suspect, whose identity is being withheld, was later pronounced dead.
The sergeant, who has also not been identified, was alert and talking before he was taken in for surgery, the chief said. His wife remains with him in the hospital.
His injuries included, “several skull fractures, a brain bleed and some other things," but he was out of surgery by 10:30 a.m. and expected to make a full recovery, Nisleit said.
"Next step is just wrap our arms around him, making sure he has everything he and his family needs, taking care of his needs, and then helping him through the phases of recovery,” Nisleit said.
Nisleit spoke fondly of the sergeant, who is a 6-year veteran of the force and works with the SWAT team. He was promoted by the chief himself.
"The sergeant's a heck of a guy, you know, very proud of this sergeant," Nisleit said. "He’s had a great career. He’s done very well for himself, does great, has great officers working for him. I wish him nothing but a speedy recovery."
Law enforcement said there are no outstanding suspects and there is no danger to the community. Nisleit commended his officers for their handling of the situation.
"We’re very fortunate, to your point, that more officers weren’t hit by gunfire or innocent citizens who might have just been doing some late shopping at the Ralphs grocery store or anywhere else in that mall," Nisleit said.
The shopping center was expected to be closed until at least Friday afternoon. By 11 a.m. Friday, a few stores were cordoned off with police tape and remained closed, including a UPS Store and 4S Eye Care. The scene was cleared around 2 p.m.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
Other officer shootings
At least three San Diego police officers, including the one involved in the incident at 4S Ranch, have been shot in the past 12 months, and all were involved in incidents involving stolen vehicles. On June 8, an officer was shot in the arm in Chollas Creek following a truck that had been reported stolen. Officials said later that day that the officer was "recovering nicely and in good spirits."
Further back, on Dec. 12, 2022, Officer Javier Hernandez was hit by gunfire following a car chase in a stolen vehicle that ended in Mountain View. Police said at the time that the round that struck Hernandez round hit him in the chest of his bulletproof vest.
This story will be updated as new information becomes available.
