San Diego police officer kills man armed with axe on Friars Road
- A man armed with an axe was shot and killed by a San Diego police officer following a vandalism report near the Morena/Linda Vista Trolley platform, according to...
- Authorities found a suspect matching the reported description on Friars Road, where at least one officer discharged a firearm.
- Emergency personnel rendered aid at the location after the shooting occurred.
A man armed with an axe was shot and killed by a San Diego police officer following a vandalism report near the Morena/Linda Vista Trolley platform, according to investigators. Officers responded to the transit stop at approximately 3:20 p.m., initiating a search that led to the 4700 block of Friars Road about fifteen minutes later.
Police Response on Friars Road
Authorities found a suspect matching the reported description on Friars Road, where at least one officer discharged a firearm. The subject had an axe with him in his hand and approached the officer,
San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Lt. Juan Marquez stated to nbcsandiego.com. Witnesses near the scene reported hearing multiple gunshots shortly after 3:30 p.m. Tyron Bobo, who was resting in a nearby tent, recalled hearing gunfire before law enforcement arrived.
MEDIA STAGING: Seaworld Dr. and Friars Rd.
I was laying down, then I hear pow, pow, pow, and I got up. Police came. I don’t know what happened.
Tyron Bobo
Emergency personnel rendered aid at the location after the shooting occurred. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department continued medical efforts before pronouncing the man dead at approximately 4:10 p.m. No police officers sustained injuries during the encounter, and authorities closed both directions of Friars Road between Sea World Drive and Napa Street to conduct an on-site investigation.
Investigation and Next Steps
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is handling the inquiry into the officer’s use of force. The case will ultimately go to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to evaluate potential criminal liability for the involved officer, while the San Diego Police Department runs a separate administrative review of the firearm discharge.
Investigators have not yet determined the exact motivation or full circumstances that led up to the fatal confrontation. The name of the officer involved has not been publicly released. Officials ask anyone with details about the incident to contact the sheriff’s homicide unit or provide anonymous information through Crime Stoppers.