Update: Officer Involved Shooting in Mesa College
August 8, 2023 - San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials report that on August 2, 2023, at about 1:23 a.m., SDPD received a call stating a suspect had shot at a 
victim multiple times in the 3500 block of Ben St in San Diego. The suspect was a passenger in a white Tesla sedan. The Tesla drove away.
Officers searched the area and located the Tesla. They saw the suspect in the driver's seat with a handgun in his hands. The officers tried to initiate a high-risk vehicle stop, but the suspect drove away. SDPD was able to locate the Tesla on the Mesa College campus. Shortly after, officers located the suspect on foot on Mesa College Circle. The suspect had a gun in his possession.
Officers gave verbal commands to the suspect who was non-compliant and acting erratic. The suspect was armed with a handgun that he placed underneath his left armpit. The suspect made multiple movements grabbing the gun with his right hand. After multiple verbal commands, a K9 officer deployed his patrol canine partner, Sir, toward the suspect. The suspect rotated his body to the right and simultaneously drew his handgun from his armpit. This prompted one officer to fire one round from his rifle, striking the suspect in the upper left area of his torso. The suspect also fired one round.
Officers provided medical aid to the suspect before he was transported to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The Medical Examiner's office conducted an autopsy. The preliminary results are the cause of death is gunshot wound; the manner is homicide. The suspect has been identified as 33-year-old Benjamin Pickens.
No officers were injured. K9 Sir was struck in the upper right chest by the round discharged by the suspect. K9 Sir was taken to a veterinarian clinic but later succumbed to his injuries.
The officer involved in the shooting has been identified as Addam Ansari. He has been employed by the San Diego Police Department for 11 years. He is currently assigned as a patrol officer in the Western Division.
To view the previous press release dated August 2, 2023, click related link below.
Per the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Homicide Unit was called to the scene to conduct the officer-involved-shooting investigation. Detectives are currently gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The investigation and review process for officer-involved shootings are extremely thorough. When the Homicide Unit completes its investigation, it will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the officers bear any criminal liability for their actions. The San Diego Police Department will conduct an administrative investigation into the officer’s discharge of his firearm. The Commission on Police Practices (CPP) will conduct a review of the incident and provide any appropriate recommendations. The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Attorney’s Office will also be monitoring the investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
Source: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
Related: San Diego Police K9 Sir Dies from Injuries After Mesa College Area Shooting
