Man Shot by Deputies in Vista Listed in Critical Condition [UPDATED]

VISTA, CA — A man was in critical condition Thursday from wounds suffered during a deputy-involved shooting in Vista after he allegedly led San Diego County Sheriff's deputies on a pursuit through the North County city.

The pursuit began at about 12:30 p.m. when patrol deputies saw known gang member they recognized driving a black Lexus near North Santa Fe and Knapp Drive, according to sheriff's Lt. Ken Nelson. Deputies also knew the 33-year-old man, whose identity was not disclosed, had a warrant out for his arrest stemming from a February 2015 SWAT standoff in Vista that ended with the recovery of illegal firearms, holsters and ballistic vests from the suspect, the lieutenant said.

Nelson alleged the man failed to stop Thursday when deputies tried to pull him over, instead leading them on an 8-minute pursuit. The pursuit ended when the man crashed his car into a rock berm at a townhome complex in the 100 block of Bronze Way.

"The suspect ran from the car and deputies followed," Nelson said. "The suspect ran through a narrow walkway between the homes located in the Bronze Way complex. At some point along the narrow
walkway, the suspect and deputies became involved in a confrontation. During that confrontation, two deputies fired multiple rounds, striking the suspect several times."

The deputies took the man into custody and provided first aid while they waited for paramedics to arrive, Nelson said.

At about 1 p.m., the sheriff's department sent an advisory message stating a heavy presence of law enforcement in the area of Iron and Copper drives — just north of Highway 78 off N. Melrose Drive — and asked residents to stay away from the area.

Allegedly, the suspect was found in possession Thursday of multiple knives and several rounds of shotgun ammunition.

As of Thursday night, he was hospitalized in critical condition, Nelson said.

(Patch file photo/Maggie Avants)