On Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at 2:11 p.m., two San Diego Police Department Motor Officers were conducting traffic enforcement in the downtown Gaslamp area and saw a 39 year old Black male running into traffic and causing a disturbance at 500 ‘F’ Street.
As the officers attempted to contact the male, he began to run eastbound and crossed into the middle of the street. The officers followed the suspect on their marked SDPD motorcycles. The suspect suddenly turned around and pulled a large caliber replica handgun from a backpack he was carrying and pointed it at one of the officers. The suspect was given several verbal commands to drop the weapon, but he refused to comply. Fearing for their safety and the safety of the public, the two San Diego Police Officers discharged their weapons striking the suspect. While on the ground, the suspect again raised his weapon and pointed it at the officers. The suspect was again ordered several times to drop his gun, but he still would not comply. Both officers fired their weapons again, striking him in the upper body.
The suspect was transported to UCSD Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced deceased. The suspect’s weapon was recovered at the scene and was found to be a replica semi-automatic handgun.
The San Diego Police Officers involved in this shooting were Officer Scott Thompson, a 30 year veteran, and Officer Gregory Lindstrom, a 25 year veteran.
