The five sheriff’s deputies and Palomar College reserve police officer involved in a deadly gunfire exchange during a traffic stop in San Marcos last week have been identified, along with the man who was fatally shot.
Andre Raphael Mendez, 33, of Oceanside, was killed by the law enforcement officers after he reportedly fired two rounds from his car on Feb. 18 on North Twin Oaks Valley Road near West Borden Road, said San Diego police Acting Lt. Christopher Leahy.
The sheriff’s deputies involved were identified as Sean Dwyer, Justin Tesar, Jake Brown, Chalit Caranto and Thomas Cook. They have been with the Sheriff’s Office for five to seven years. The Palomar College officer was identified as Kyle Hodges, who has been with the school’s department for four years.
San Diego police are investigating under a countywide agreement designed to prevent policing agencies from investigating themselves following a shooting.
The shooting occurred shortly after 9 p.m. when a San Marcos deputy pulled a Hyundai Sonata over for a vehicle code violation, and a records check of the license plate to DMV registration records did not match. Mendez was riding as a passenger, and a 21-year-old woman was driving.
A deputy said he saw damage to the steering column of the sedan, indicating it was a stolen car, officials said. The deputy asked for backup, and several deputies, along with Hodges, arrived to assist.
As they arrived, the passenger side window rolled up, and Mendez reportedly ignored the deputy’s commands to keep it down, Leahy said. Mendez then allegedly reached under the floor of a car and grabbed a handgun, Leahy said.
Deputies removed the woman safely from the car, but Mendez allegedly refused to put the gun down. He then raised the weapon, and deputies Tasered him. At that point, the Tasers were ineffective, and Mendez fired two rounds, Leahy said.
Deputies and the campus officer then returned fire.
Mendez died at the scene.