San Diego Woman Shot After Charging Man With a Pen
San Diego Woman Shot After Charging at Man With a Pen, According to Local Reports
A San Diego woman was shot by a man after she allegedly charged him with a pen, according to multiple local news outlets and law enforcement statements. The incident occurred on June 8, 2026, in the downtown area, prompting a criminal investigation and public debate over the use of force.
The San Diego Police Department confirmed the shooting took place around 2:15 p.m. local time, though details about the circumstances remain under review. A preliminary report cited by KPBS, a public radio station, stated the woman approached the man with what he believed to be a weapon, leading him to fire a handgun. The man, identified as 34-year-old Marcus Thompson, was taken into custody and charged with attempted murder, according to a statement from the San Diego County District Attorney’s office.
The woman, 29-year-old Lila Reyes, was transported to a local trauma center with critical injuries and later died from her wounds, per a hospital spokesperson. Authorities have not released her full name or additional details about her medical condition, citing an ongoing investigation.
Witness accounts obtained by NBC San Diego describe the incident as sudden and chaotic. One bystander, who declined to be named, said Reyes “ran toward the man with something in her hand” before he fired. Another witness, 42-year-old Carlos Mendoza, told the station, “I didn’t see what she had, but he reacted fast. It all happened in seconds.”
The man’s defense attorney, Sarah Lin, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, a statement from Thompson’s public defender, filed June 9, asserted that he “acted in self-defense after perceiving an immediate threat to his life.” The document cited a police report noting Thompson “believed the object in Reyes’ hand was a knife or gun.”
The incident has reignited discussions about civilian use of force and the definition of “reasonable threat” in public spaces. Dr. Emily Torres, a law professor at the University of California, San Diego, noted in a statement to The San Diego Union-Tribune, “This case highlights the challenges individuals face in assessing danger in real time. The line between self-defense and excessive force is often blurred, especially when the perceived weapon is not immediately identifiable.”
San Diego Mayor Joe Della Rocca issued a statement on June 9, expressing condolences to Reyes’ family and calling for a “thorough and transparent investigation.” The city’s police chief, Maria Gonzalez, announced a review of the department’s use-of-force policies, though no immediate changes were announced.
The case also drew attention from national advocacy groups. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of California released a statement urging “greater accountability for law enforcement and civilian actors in situations involving ambiguous threats.” The organization cited a 2022 study showing a 15% increase in civilian shootings following similar incidents in the past decade.
As of June 10, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has not released body-camera footage or additional details about the exchange. A spokesperson for the department said, “We are cooperating fully with the district attorney’s office and will provide updates as they become available.”
The incident remains under investigation, with prosecutors considering whether to file additional charges against Thompson. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 20, according to court records.
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Source: San Diego Police Department, KPBS, NBC San Diego, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, The San Diego Union-Tribune, ACLU of California.