SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – A suspected car thief was shot during a gunfire exchange with San Diego Police officers at a University City apartment complex early Friday morning.
According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, SDPD officers were sent to the Allina La Jolla apartments in the 3400 block of Lebon Drive at around 3:12 a.m. after reports of two men trying to break into vehicles at the complex.
Responding officers confronted the two men, who were in a reported stolen vehicle, but both ran away.
Sheriff’s officials said the officers ordered the men to stop, but one of the men produced a firearm and fired at least one round towards the officers, prompting an officer to “discharge his duty weapon multiple times.”
The armed suspect was struck by several rounds, sheriff’s officials confirmed. He was taken to the hospital for treatment and is expected to survive his injuries.
Police said the second suspect fled the scene and remained on the loose as of 9 a.m. The man, who is considered to be armed and dangerous, is described as a Hispanic male around 6 feet tall with a medium build, in his 20s, and last seen wearing a blue mask, gray jeans, and a black hoodie.
No officers were injured in the incident.
Police asked the public to stay out of the area as the search for the suspect continued.
Per county protocol, the sheriff’s department’s Homicide Unit is investigating the officer-involved shooting aspect of the incident.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the sheriff’s Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330/after hours at 858-565-5200.
Tips can also be called into Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
