SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego Police Department released a video this weekend that shows several angles of the fatal shooting of an armed suspect at a Pt. Loma house last summer.
The fatal shooting occurred Aug. 25 in the 2700 block of Nipoma Street after a standoff with police SWAT officers that lasted more than three hours, according to the Homicide Unit of the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.
Erik Simon Sanders, 24, of Alpine, was shot by three officers as he exited the house while carrying a firearm, according to SDSO officials.
At approximately 4:40 p.m. that day, SDPD officers were dispatched to a welfare check, which was later updated to a residential burglary in progress, the SDSO said in a news release at the time.
"Neighbors told officers that Sanders approached them from one of their backyards, said people were trying to kill him and asked them to call police," according to the video. "A neighbor confirmed seeing Sanders, while armed with a knife, enter a home that did not belong to him."
The video also says that officers contacted the homeowner, who "confirmed that no one had permission to be inside the residence and that firearms were accessible inside."
Due to the possibility that Sanders was armed with a firearm, SDPD SWAT responded and attempted to contact him.
"SWAT officers used a loudspeaker to direct Sanders to exit the residence with his hands up, but he did not respond," the video says, "Officers attempted to make contact with Sanders inside the home for several hours, with no response from Sanders."
Gunfire was heard coming from the home for about three minutes while the SWAT team discussed its options. The video shows the officers taking cover behind an armored vehicle as the gunfire is going off. They can be heard discussing the situation, but audio is redacted to cover tactical moves. Dogs can be heard barking in the background. The video also included footage from a drone that was deployed inside the house. The video also shows a still photo of the gun Sanders was holding when he came out of the house.
After the shooting, paramedics responded and Sanders was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 9:40 p.m. No police officers were injured.
The officers who discharged their weapons have been identified as Officer Christopher Lingenhol, Officer David Speck and Officer Jose Velasquez, according to the SDSO.
Lingenhol has been with the SDPD for 12 years and is assigned to patrol at the Mid-City Division. Speck has been with the SDPD for 30 years and is assigned to Special Operations, SWAT. Velasquez has been with the SDPD for nine years and is assigned to patrol at the Central Division.
Lingenhol and Velasquez are also members of the SDPD SWAT Primary Response Team.
Per the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, the SDSO Homicide Unit is conducting the investigation. Once the Homicide Unit concludes its investigation, the case will be submitted to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office for review to determine whether the involved officers bear any criminal liability.
The SDPD will also conduct an administrative review of the officers' discharge of their firearm.
Anyone with information about the case was asked to contact the SDSO Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
— City News Service
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