EL CAJON (KGTV) - The head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is calling for a transparent investigation into the shooting death of an unarmed black man by an El Cajon police officer.
In a statement, Bishop Robert McElroy, also asked for calm as protests took a violent turn between demonstrators and a man wearing a red hat with the words "Make America Great Again" made popular by Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump.
"The Catholic community of San Diego and Imperial Counties is saddened by the shooting death of Alfred Olango in El Cajon and mourn with his family," McElroy said.
El Cajon police officers on Tuesday afternoon responded to calls of a mentally unstable man who was reportedly walking into traffic. Police opened fire on Alfred Olango who allegedly failed to comply with their commands, sending him to a hospital where he later died from his injuries.
"While acknowledging the personal risk the men and women in uniform take daily, we call on the pertinent law enforcement authorities to be as transparent as possible in their investigation," McElroy said. "We understand the pain the community feels. We pray for calm during this wrenching time and stand ready to work together to achieve true justice and peace for all."
Police said that Olango failed to follow the patrol personnel's directives, concealing his hand in his pocket. A second officer arrived on scene and the man continued to ignore instructions, according to police.
"The male subject paced back and forth while the officers tried to talk to him," El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis said. "At one point, the male rapidly drew an object from his front pants pocket, placed both hands together on it, extended it rapidly towards the officer, taking what appeared to be a shooting stance, putting the object in the officer's face."
