Death Investigation - Officer Involved Shooting 

November 22, 2023 – San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials report that on November 13, 2023, at about 11:00 p.m., the San Diego Police Department received a call from a reporting party stating a male suspect shot a female victim in the 4500 block of Polk Avenue in San Diego. The reporting party stated the suspect was still outside the residence with the firearm. Several officers responded to the scene, but the suspect had left the scene.

At approximately 11:30 p.m., officers located the suspect in the 4000 block of Wightman Street and attempted to make contact. Officers identified themselves and gave the suspect multiple commands, including to take his hands out of his pockets. The suspect said, "Go for it" and ran while reaching in his waistband. Officers told him to stop but he did not comply. He turned towards the officers while continuing to reach and manipulate something in his waistband. Officers gave the suspect multiple warnings and commands. The suspect's behavior prompted officers to discharge their duty weapons. Multiple rounds were fired, and the suspect was struck. While on the ground, the suspect continued to ignore the officer's commands. He continued to move around and produced a firearm. The suspect's behavior again prompted officers to discharge their weapons. The suspect was struck again and stopped moving.

Officers could not approach the suspect because the firearm was next to him. A K-9 was used to move the suspect away from the firearm. As officers approached the suspect, they secured the suspect and located his firearm in the area where he was shot. Officers began rendering aid, including CPR, until paramedics arrived and transported him to the hospital. The suspect succumbed to his injuries at the hospital and was pronounced deceased. He has been positively identified as 22-year-old Imanol Aparicio. Aparicio resided in the city of San Diego.

Aparicio was in possession of a loaded polymer 80 firearm that was unregistered. The firearm was found with a malfunction. His backpack contained a 30-round magazine that was loaded with 13 rounds.

No officers were injured or struck by gunfire during the incident. The officers involved in the shooting have been identified as: Sergeant Matthew Ruggiero who was hired in 2005, Officer Jeremy Avalos who was hired in 2019, and Officer Jonah Tafoya who was hired in 2020.  All officers are currently assigned to the Midcity Division.

To view the previous press release dated November 14, 2023, click here.

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.  At this stage of the investigation, circumstances of the shooting are still under 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 state criminal liability for their actions. The San Diego Police Department will conduct an administrative investigation into the officers’ discharge of their firearms.  The Commission on Police Practices (CPP) will conduct a review of the incident and provide any appropriate recommendations.

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: Report of a Woman Being Shot Results in an Officer-Involved Shooting of the Suspect in San Diego