A man shot and killed himself inside a vehicle early Monday as San Diego police tried to arrest him in Ocean Beach, according to sheriff’s homicide officials.
Police officers contacted the man around 3 a.m. inside the vehicle on Newport Avenue near Bacon Street, sheriff’s Lt. Juan Marquez said. During the detention, “the male became combative,” Marquez said.
“As officers attempted to handcuff him, he produced a handgun and shot himself one time,” Marquez said.
Officers immediately rendered medical aid and called for paramedics. But the man died before he could be taken to a hospital.
The location is near the Ocean Beach pier parking lot.
Marquez said the two officers were “conducting Overnight Vehicle Enforcement” when they approached the man. “It was not a traffic stop,” Marquez said.
The man’s age and name were not immediately released.
“Homicide detectives are currently gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and examining the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the lieutenant said in a statement.
The officers did not discharge their weapons and sustained minor injuries, Marquez said. He said the handgun was recovered at the scene.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shooting under terms of a memorandum of understanding that all local law enforcement agencies have agreed to follow. Under the policy, a department does not investigate fatal shootings involving its own officers.
Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or after hours at 858-868-3200. Callers can remain anonymous if they contact Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.