January 23, 2026 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Police Department officials report that at about 12:40 p.m. on Thursday the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) received a call regarding a stolen vehicle near Euclid Ave. and Imperial Ave.
A short time later, an officer saw the vehicle on Imperial Ave. and attempted to pull it over. The driver did not stop, and a pursuit ensued.
SDPD deployed spike strips in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The vehicle drove over the spike strips and continued east on Imperial Ave. The suspect ultimately crashed into a light pole near Jamacha Rd. and Gillespie Dr. and exited the vehicle.
Officers observed an item that appeared to be a firearm near the suspect. After failing to comply with officers’ commands, the suspect appeared to reach toward the item.
One officer fired a service weapon at the suspect. Officers administered emergency medical aid, and the suspect was taken to a hospital.
Under Assembly Bill 748, California State law requires “Critical Incident Videos” to be released within 45 days. SDPD strives to release videos within 10 days of a critical incident.
SDPD has chosen to release a preliminary video of Thursday’s incident and will release a more comprehensive critical incident video in the coming weeks.
SDPD officer-involved shootings and other deadly force incident investigations and reviews are led by an external agency, per the countywide memorandum of understanding.
The investigation and review process for an officer-involved shooting is extremely thorough. Per the countywide memorandum, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating this officer-involved shooting. Their report will then be provided to the District Attorney’s Office.
The District Attorney’s Office will determine if the officers bear any criminal liability for their actions.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office also monitor the investigation.
The SDPD's Internal Affairs Unit will conduct an internal investigation into the actions of the San Diego Police Officer.
The SDPD Shooting Review Board will evaluate the tactics used.
The internal investigation will be reviewed by San Diego's independent Commission on Police Practices.
View critical incident video here.
Source: San Diego Police Department
