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.
Authorities Wednesday publicly identified a patrolman who shot a suspect last week following a foot chase near Escondido Transit Center, leaving the man with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officer Corey Montross, who has been with the Escondido Police Department for about three years, opened fire when Antonio Rosales, 34, allegedly confronted him with a pellet gun, according to the San Diego Police Department, which investigates shootings carried out by EPD personnel under terms of a countywide agreement designed to prevent conflicts of interest.
The shooting occurred shortly after 7:30 p.m. last Wednesday, as officers were investigating a report of a person displaying a handgun at the transit depot in the 700 block of West Valley Parkway, SDPD Lt. Jud Campbell said.
As the patrol officers approached Rosales — who was identified by witnesses as the armed man — the suspect allegedly fled, running to the east across Quince Street and onto a bicycle path, Campbell said.
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After fleeing for about 100 feet along the bike lane, Rosales allegedly stopped and turned around, holding what appeared to be a firearm, Campbell said. Montross responded by shooting Rosales, causing him to collapse to the ground, according to police.
Paramedics took the suspect to a trauma center for treatment of at least two gunshot wounds. He was expected to survive, the lieutenant said.
The gun that Rosales allegedly had been wielding turned out to be a BB pistol, according to police.
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Detectives are coordinating with the San Diego County District Attorney's Office to arraign Rosales in the hospital on a felony charge of resisting arrest, the lieutenant said.
