Pursuit from Chula Vista ends in police shootout in Spring Valley with 1 injured
A man who investigators say attempted to run over officers, led police on a lengthy pursuit and allegedly opened fire was shot in the leg by Chula Vista police Thursday evening, according to investigators.
The man, who was the subject of a domestic violence investigation in Chula Vista, where the incident began at about 5:26 p.m., was hospitalized after being shot by officers in Spring Valley, according to the Chula Vista Police Department.
Responding officers first contacted the man, who has not yet been identified, while he was behind the wheel of a red Chevrolet in a parking lot where they were collecting evidence, Chula Vista police said. Officers gestured at the driver to stop, but the driver instead sped toward officers, forcing one to jump out of the way.
San Diego police, the lead investigators due to a memorandum that prevents departments from conducting their own use-of-force investigations, said a pursuit ensued.
The pursuit took Chula Vista officers into Spring Valley, where the suspect crashed into a black sedan near the intersection of Sweetwater Road and Tyler Street, SDPD said. The bystander driver was hospitalized with minor injuries.
After the crash, the suspect ran from the vehicle, armed with a handgun, as officers chased him on foot, SDPD said. During the foot chase, the suspect fired several rounds toward officers and an officer and a sergeant returned fire, investigators said. At least one bullet struck him in the leg.
No officers were injured in the incident, Chula Vista police said.
Video from the scene showed several officers restraining a man on the concrete with what appeared to be a gun on the ground near him. The man was later transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Once released from the hospital, San Diego police intend to book the man into jail on several charges, including attempted murder of a police officer.
More video from the scene showed the red Chevrolet and a black sedan crashed onto sidewalks and shoulders of the road. The sedan was badly rear-ended while the SUV sustained damage to the front hood of the vehicle. Two innocent bystanders were transported from the black sedan and were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Per the countywide memorandum, the San Diego Police Department will be taking lead on the investigation.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
