Authorities Fatally Shoot Armed Man During Traffic Stop In North County

SAN MARCOS, CA — Authorities fatally shot a man after he raised a firearm at several San Diego County deputies and a police officer while in the passenger side of a vehicle during a traffic stop in North San Diego County, officials said.

The fatal shooting happened shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday, after a deputy from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office stopped a red Hyundai Sonata for a vehicle code violation in the 600 block of North Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos, according to the San Diego Police Department. A 21-year-old woman was in the driver's seat and a 33-year-man was in the front passenger seat.

After conducting a record check, the deputy discovered that the vehicle's license plate and VIN were "inconsistent" with DMV registration records. The steering column of the vehicle also appeared damaged, which suggested the vehicle may have been stolen, according to the San Diego Police Department.

"As multiple deputies and a Palomar College Police Officer arrived to assist, the front passenger abruptly rolled up his window and ignored commands to keep it down," the department said. "The passenger then reached toward the floorboard and armed himself with a semiautomatic handgun."

Deputies removed the driver from the vehicle after repeated commands to the passenger to drop the weapon, officials said. He continued to ignore commands and began to raise the firearm as deputies positioned themselves around the car.

Five deputies and one officer discharged their weapons, striking the passenger, according to the department.

Deputies removed the passenger from the vehicle and attempted lifesaving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity was withheld pending family notification.

The names of the driver, deputies and officer were not released.

The San Diego Police Department was investigating the shooting.

Authorities asked anyone with information regarding the shooting to call the SDPD's Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.