SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A man wielding a metal chain was shot and killed by a two-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department this week, the department announced Saturday.
SDPD said 48-year-old Vaugh Harrison Denham, of San Diego, was shot and killed by Officer Corey Pitts after Denham refused to obey officers' orders to drop a machete he had reportedly used to attack someone Wednesday.
Police said they arrived at a violent disturbance call involving a "machete-style" weapon in the 4000 block of Boston Ave. just after 5 p.m. Police found a 57-year-old victim with injuries that suggested he'd been attacked with an "edged weapon."
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The victim was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
At the scene, police tried to contact Denham around the corner from the initial scene. He was uncooperative with officers, police said, and a Taser was deployed after the confrontation escalated.
Witness statements indicated Denham approached officers with a metal chain and refused verbal commands to stop by officers. After he started swinging the chain, a Taser was used unsuccessfully.
Police added that Officer Pitts gave multiple warnings while backing up and trying to distance himself, which Denham ignored.
After swinging at him again, Officer Pitts fired on Denham, striking him once. Denham was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died of his injuries.
Two other officers arrived to place Denham in handcuffs, though he continued to resist.
No officers were injured during the incident.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to call SDPD at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
