EL CAJON, Calif. (KGTV) — The San Diego Police Department confirmed a woman in her 20s was shot and killed after trying to run two El Cajon Police officers over during a retirement celebration outside the police station Wednesday afternoon.
ECPD public information officer Keith MacArthur confirmed to ABC 10News that officers were driving cars to the ceremony staging area when the suspect, identified only as a woman in her 20s, hit an officer, who was on foot, with her truck. The incident happened at 12:42 p.m.
Acting SDPD Lt. Jonathan Dungan told ABC 10News an ECPD sergeant and lieutenant were walking outside when the suspect inside a black 2000 Toyota Tundra began to drive at them.
"Then out of nowhere, the truck veered directly towards the officers, the officers tried to get out of the way but the truck turned quickly and actually struck the sergeant, throwing him into the air," says Lt. Dungan.
The driver then ran the truck into a tree.
According to Lt. Dungan, security footage shows the black truck starting to reverse and accelerate again at the other officer trying to help.
"At that point, officers were forced to use deadly force and fired their firearms at the occupant of that vehicle," Dungan said.
The sergeant who was hit by the truck and an officer who had run over from headquarters to help were the ones who fired their guns multiple times at the woman.
The 25-year veteran who was hit was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital for treatment, and MacArthur said their injuries were believed to be non-life threatening. That officer has since been released from the hospital. No other officers were hurt during this incident.
The suspect was taken to the hospital, where she later died.
The second officer who shot the suspect has been on the ECPD force for about six years. They're currently assigned to the traffic division as a motor officer.
Per county protocol for investigating officer-involved shootings, SDPD is the lead agency on this case. SDPD says the entire incident was captured on surveillance video, and the second officer who shot his gun had his body camera activated.
It's unknown at this time if the officers knew the woman in the truck or if this was a targeted attack. The motive remains unknown and the investigation is ongoing.
After SDPD's homicide unit completes its investigation, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office will review the case and assess whether the officers should face any criminal liability.
ECPD will also conduct an administrative investigation into the shooting.
If you have any information for police about this case, reach out to SDPD's Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
