EL CAJON, CA— A California woman in her twenties was killed Wednesday when she reportedly attempted to run over two El Cajon police officers who subsequently opened fire with their sidearms. A sergeant was struck by the woman’s vehicle and thrown, and as he lay on the ground a lieutenant called for help as she reversed the truck and drove toward them, they opened fire striking her several times.
According to NBC San Diego, the incident is now under investigation by San Diego Police Department’s homicide division, in concurrence with a memorandum of understanding between the departments to prevent agencies from self-investigating.
Acting SDPD Lt. Jonathan Dungan, in attendance at the retirement ceremony for El Cajon police Capt. Rob Ransweiler nearby, told NBC reporters, “While they were outside looking for the landscape of how this retirement ceremony was going to happen — a captain was retiring today — there was a truck that was parked in the parking lot, and the truck, as the [sergeant and lieutenant] were standing on the sidewalk at least 15 feet off the street, the truck backed out of its parking spot, and it appeared that they were going to drive away," Dungan said. "Instead, the truck pointed at the officers and then stopped for a moment.”
He noted that having reviewed surveillance footage of the incident, the officers seemed to notice the black Toyota Tundra acting unusually. "And then, out of nowhere, the truck veered directly toward the officers," Dungan said.
"The officers tried to get out of the way, but the truck turned quickly and actually struck the sergeant, throwing him into the air. At that point, the lieutenant was calling for additional officers for help and was trying to get away from the truck … [and the] sergeant was on the ground. The truck reversed again and drove toward the officers."
It was at that point both officers, a 25-year-veteran Sergeant and a Lieutenant attempting to rush to his aid, opened fire.
The vehicle came to a halt and the woman was removed from the truck having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Officers provided first aid and the woman was transported to an area hospital where she later died. The stricken officer was hospitalized, initially on suspicion of a broken arm, but was later released with more minor injuries.
When asked to discuss the event further, Dunigan told NBC, “This is a scary event. Those officers were standing in front of their station, not taking any enforcement action, not trying to contact anyone. They were preparing for a retirement ceremony. This was a very scary event for those officers that were involved, for the lieutenant and the sergeant that were involved, and it's a tragedy that this has happened. It's gonna be investigated thoroughly to make sure everything was done accordingly.”
Authorities said it is not known if the woman knew the officers or if the attack on the police was targeted at this time. “We don't have any indication that they did, but that will be part of our investigation," Dunigan added.
According to NBC San Diego, the incident is now under investigation by San Diego Police Department’s homicide division, in concurrence with a memorandum of understanding between the departments to prevent agencies from self-investigating.
Acting SDPD Lt. Jonathan Dungan, in attendance at the retirement ceremony for El Cajon police Capt. Rob Ransweiler nearby, told NBC reporters, “While they were outside looking for the landscape of how this retirement ceremony was going to happen — a captain was retiring today — there was a truck that was parked in the parking lot, and the truck, as the [sergeant and lieutenant] were standing on the sidewalk at least 15 feet off the street, the truck backed out of its parking spot, and it appeared that they were going to drive away," Dungan said. "Instead, the truck pointed at the officers and then stopped for a moment.”
El Cajon Police are investigating an officer involved shooting, which occurred outside the police station. The media is asked to stage in the west parking lot of 100 Civic Center Way. This is an ongoing investigation, more details to follow.
— El Cajon Police (@elcajonpolice) December 11, 2024
He noted that having reviewed surveillance footage of the incident, the officers seemed to notice the black Toyota Tundra acting unusually. "And then, out of nowhere, the truck veered directly toward the officers," Dungan said.
"The officers tried to get out of the way, but the truck turned quickly and actually struck the sergeant, throwing him into the air. At that point, the lieutenant was calling for additional officers for help and was trying to get away from the truck … [and the] sergeant was on the ground. The truck reversed again and drove toward the officers."
It was at that point both officers, a 25-year-veteran Sergeant and a Lieutenant attempting to rush to his aid, opened fire.
The vehicle came to a halt and the woman was removed from the truck having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Officers provided first aid and the woman was transported to an area hospital where she later died. The stricken officer was hospitalized, initially on suspicion of a broken arm, but was later released with more minor injuries.
When asked to discuss the event further, Dunigan told NBC, “This is a scary event. Those officers were standing in front of their station, not taking any enforcement action, not trying to contact anyone. They were preparing for a retirement ceremony. This was a very scary event for those officers that were involved, for the lieutenant and the sergeant that were involved, and it's a tragedy that this has happened. It's gonna be investigated thoroughly to make sure everything was done accordingly.”
Authorities said it is not known if the woman knew the officers or if the attack on the police was targeted at this time. “We don't have any indication that they did, but that will be part of our investigation," Dunigan added.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments