CBS Channel 2 KCAL 9 Los Angeles reported Thursday on the release of body camera footage from the San Diego sheriff showing deputies fatally shooting a man accused of DUI after a tense police chase near the Mexican border.
The original incident happened on October 4 in the San Diego area. It began when Santa Ana Police officers attempted to pull over a 30-year-old Whittier man on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUI).The man drove away with Santa Ana Police and California Highway Patrol units in pursuit.
The suspect led pursuing police units from Orange County to Chula Vista, then stopped on the 805 freeway near the Mexican border. Around that time, San Diego Sheriff deputies executed what is known as a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuver to bring the pursuit to a close.
The suspect got out of his car following the PIT maneuver and pointed a metal object at deputies, which they claim to have believed was a firearm. In response, deputies on scene opened fire. However, upon further investigation, the metal object was not a firearm. The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The FBI is monitoring the investigation, and the deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the results.
