Alfred Olango Confirmed as Black Man Killed in El Cajon Police Shooting

EL CAJON, CA — Authorities confirmed the identity late Wednesday of the victim in Tuesday's fatal police officer-involved shooting in El Cajon as Alfred Okwera Olango, 38, a resident of El Cajon.

In a statement Wednesday evening, El Cajon police also said that the "object" Olango — a black man — drew from his pants pocket and allegedly pointed at the officer was a vape smoking device.

"The vape has an all silver cylinder (Smok TFV4 MINI) that is approximately 1-inch diameter and 3-inch long that was pointed toward the officer. The box of the vape that was held in his grip, is 4 inches by 2 1/4 inches by 1 inch (Pioneer for You Vape)."

The vape was collected as evidence from the scene, police said.

The statement also read:

"There have been several questions about the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT). The El Cajon Police Department does have an agreement with Community Research Foundation/PERT which allows certified licensed clinicians to partner with police officers in the field in order to provide direct support for mental health calls. ...During the hours of this incident, there was a PERT clinician with a police officer. At the specific time of this incident, that team was on a different radio call that was also PERT related. They were not immediately available."

Additionally, the statement read, the El Cajon City Council authorized the purchase of body-worn cameras a short time ago.

"The cameras have been ordered, but have not yet been delivered," police said. "When they arrive, the department will conduct a thorough training for both the officers and the community before putting the cameras into use."

The statement comes after a day of protests sparked by the shooting in the East San Diego County city.

• El Cajon Police Shooting Protests Begin Wednesday Afternoon
• Police Shooting Near San Diego: After Black Man Shot, Killed by Police, Chief Says 'Truth Will Come Out'
• 'Erratic Subject' Shot In El Cajon Officer-Involved Shooting: Police

Demonstrators marched from El Cajon Police headquarters to the scene of the shooting, near a taco shop in the 800 block of Broadway, many chanting, "Black Lives Matter."

The general consensus among many of the protesters was that Olange, a restaurant cook originally from Uganda, was believed to be mentally ill and that the situation should have been handled differently.

Police say they responded to a call — possibly from Olange's sister — at 2:11 p.m. Tuesday of a "man not acting like himself," and that when they arrived, he was "walking in and out of traffic, endangering not only himself by motorists."

El Cajon police Chief Jeff Davis said the responding officer called for backup when the man did not comply with orders to remove his hand from his pants pocket. When Olange allegedly repeatedly failed to comply, the second officer prepared to deploy his Taser, Davis said. At that point, Olange allegedly raised his arms and pointed an object — now known to be a silver vaping device — at the first officer. While the second officer deployed his Taser, the first officer simultaneously fired his gun.

"The subject refused multiple instructions by the first officer on scene to remove his concealed hand from in his pocket," El Cajon police Lt. Rob Ransweiler said. "Because the subject did not comply the officer drew his firearm and pointed it at the subject while continuing to give him instructions to remove his hand from his pocket. The second responding officer arrived on scene and immediately prepared to deploy a less lethal electronic control device [Taser] while the other officer covered.

"The subject paced back and forth while officers tried to talk to him. At one point, the subject rapidly drew an object from his front pants pocket, placed both hands together and extended them rapidly toward the officer taking up what appeared to be a shooting stance. At this time, the officer with the electronic control device discharged his weapon. Simultaneously, the officer with the firearm discharged his weapon several times, striking the subject."

At least one witness told reporters he heard five shots fired.

The officers reportedly offered medical aid to Olange before paramedics arrived and transported him to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased, according to police.

The two officers involved in the shooting, whom both have more than 21 years of law enforcement experience, according to El Cajon police Chief Jeff Davis, were placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated. The officers have not publicly been named.

Davis said the San Diego County District Attorney's Office is conducting an investigation, and will also review the police investigation.

Davis said “in light of what is going on nationally,” he assured “there will be many sets of eyes on this investigation.”

Eddie Kurtz, executive director of Courage Campaign, issued the below statement regarding the fatal incident:

"Yesterday, yet another unarmed black man was murdered by an impulsive police officer. Alfred Olango’s tragic death makes him the 217th black man killed by police this year alone.

"Olango’s murder at the hands of police is especially jarring because the officer who responded to the call knew that Olango had suffered from mental illness and that the El Cajon police department was given advance warning that he was unarmed. Despite these warnings, a Psychiatric Emergency Response Team was not called to respond to the incident, and Olango was shot and killed in front of his sister.

"Alfred Olango's death is unacceptable. Also unacceptable is the El Cajon Police Department's self-serving decision to release a single frame from the longer video of the encounter with Olango that supports their narrative. That’s why Courage Campaign is calling on San Diego County DA Bonnie Dumanis and the El Cajon police department to immediately release the full video of the shooting and to conduct a complete and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Alfred Olango’s death."

The U.S. Attorney in San Diego, Laura Duffy, also issued a statement about Olango's death.

"We are aware of the incident involving the death of Alfred Olango and are in regular contact with local authorities," Duffy said. "If in the course of the local investigation, information comes to light of a potential federal civil rights violation, the Justice Department is prepared to review."

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates as more information is gathered.