San Diego police are investigating after a Customs and Border Protection officer shot a man at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry on Wednesday morning.
The shooting happened around 10:15 a.m. after the CBP officer saw the man walking on a road in a restricted area, according to preliminary information released by the San Diego Police Department. The officer called for backup and came in contact with the man, who then took out a screwdriver and moved toward the officer, the department said.
Police say the man ignored instructions to drop the tool before the officer fired his weapon multiple times, striking the man's arms. His injuries were non-life-threatening, SDPD said.
The suspect, who has not been identified but is believed to be in his 20s, was taken into custody by CBP officers, police said, adding that he is under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations for assault on a federal officer.
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"The man with the screwdriver is a U.S. Citizen," SDPD Lt. Jud Campbell confirmed to NBC 7 on Thursday. "We do not believe he is involved in smuggling."
Campbell said that the department is still looking into how the man accessed the restricted area and why he was there.
A CBP pickup truck was also struck in the shooting, according to SDPD. CBP said earlier in the day that no CBP personnel were injured.
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The identity of the officer who discharged his firearm has not been released, but police say he has been with CBP for about 22 years and that he is assigned as a supervisory CBP officer.
SDPD's Homicide Unit is investigating, which is standard procedure when investigating officer-involved shootings. Police said the U.S. Attorney's Office will review the investigation and decide "if the officer bears any criminal liability for his actions."
Along with the SDPD, CBP said its Office of Professional Responsibility also responded to investigate the incident.
SDPD is asking anyone with information about this event to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2292 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information arrives.
