Authorities have identified the suspect and the officer involved in a shooting in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood that left three police officers and a police K-9 injured and the suspect dead.
The shooting occurred on Sept. 16, when the man killed during the incident — identified as 33-year-old Saul Sandoval Chavez — fled from police and barricaded himself inside a business in the 4000 block of 30th Street, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
The officer who discharged his weapon has been identified as Officer Kyle Lehr, a 10-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department assigned to the Canine Unit.
SDPD officers responded to a vandalism call near the intersection of El Cajon Boulevard and Oregon Street at about 9 a.m. A reporting party told dispatch that a man was using a metal rod to vandalize vehicles.
Upon arrival, officers attempted to contact a man matching the description. Authorities said the suspect immediately fled on foot and entered a business in the 4000 block of 30th Street, refusing to surrender and appearing armed with an incendiary device.
According to investigators, officers attempted to negotiate with Chavez, but he refused to exit the building. A K-9 was deployed, at which point the suspect allegedly ignited the device, setting the dog on fire. Chavez then moved toward the front door with the incendiary device, prompting the shooting, police said.
(Photo: KGTV)