Police in fatal Morena officer-involved shooting identified: SDPD
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego Police Department has identified the three officers involved in a fatal shooting Monday in the Morena neighborhood.
Around 10:40 a.m. Monday, police received a call regarding a robbery and assault with a deadly weapon at a market in the 1000 block of Moreno Boulevard, according to Lt. Michael Krugh with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
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The victim told police a man in his 20s left the store without paying for merchandise after asking if the store accepted credit cards. Before fleeing on foot, the man pulled out a knife and threatened the victim as he attempted to stop him, according to an earlier press release.
Later that morning, police saw a man who matched the suspect’s description provided by the victim in the 5300 block of Napa Street and tried to stop him. Officers used a stun gun on the man, but he continued to flee on foot.
Man shot by SDPD officer expected to survive
Officers followed the man to a transient encampment in the 5300 block of Friars Road, according to Lt. Krugh. That’s when the suspect approached an uninvolved man, took him hostage and held a knife to his neck.
Three officers fired shots at the suspect, according to Lt. Krugh. The suspect died at the scene despite lifesaving measures by first responders, authorities said. No officers were injured in the incident, nor was the man who was being held hostage by the suspect.
The three officers have been identified as Matthew Steinbach, Michael Howells and Justin Tellam. Officer Steinbach has been with SDPD for 12 years, while Officer Tellam has worked with the department for six-and-a-half. Officer Howells has been with SDPD for a year and a half.
SDPD has identified the suspect but is withholding his name pending family notification.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Unit responded to the scene to investigate the officer-involved shooting. The motivation and circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation, Lt. Krugh said in the release.
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