Suspect Found Dead After Poway Deputy-Involved Shooting Was Lakeside Man

POWAY, CA — A suspect who was found dead inside an SUV that crashed into a ravine off Poway Road early Thursday after he allegedly stole a San Diego County Sheriff's deputy's patrol car, then carjacked the SUV at gunpoint, was identified Friday as 38-year-old Trenton Lohman of Lakeside.

In a statement Friday afternoon, sheriff's Lt. Ken Nelson also that the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office completed an autopsy of Lohman and ruled the cause of death a gunshot wound to his chest.

As of publication time, the sheriff's department has not confirmed whether investigators believe the gunshot wound was suffered during a deputy-involved shooting that ensued when deputies responded early Thursday to an auto repair shop in the 13000 block of Poway Road.

The deputies had been dispatched to investigate reports that a suspicious person was looking into vehicles parked at the location.

Upon their arrival, they reportedly quickly broadcasted that shots had been fired, according to Nelson.

• Poway Road Closed As Death of Carjacking Suspect Investigated

Soon after that, they reported the suspect, later identified as Lohman, had driven off in a deputy's patrol car and was headed east on Poway Road.

Nelson said the suspect ditched the patrol car at the intersection of Poway and Espola roads and carjacked a black SUV at gunpoint, then headed west on Poway Road.

Deputies caught up to the SUV shortly afterward, and gunfire again rang out, according to the lieutenant.

The SUV went off the roadside and down a ravine, and the suspect was found dead behind the wheel.

"Deputies made their way into the ravine in order to take the suspect into custody and to render aid," Nelson said. "When they reached the suspect they discovered he was deceased. The suspect appeared to have trauma to the upper body."

Several knives, a hatchet and loose ammunition were found in the SUV, Nelson said.

As of Thursday, investigators were still searching for the firearm allegedly used in the carjacking. It was unclear Friday whether they had found it.

The four deputies believed to be involved in the shooting did not suffer any injuries, according to Nelson.

Parts of Poway Road were closed for several hours Thursday as the shooting and the death of the suspect were investigated.

Patch file photo