Victim in Santee Deputy-Involved Shooting Identified

SANTEE, CA — Three deputies involved in a shooting Friday that left a Santee man dead have been identified by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department as Deputy Robert Kastelic, Deputy James Riggin and Deputy Matthew Hemphill.

The man who died, David Michael Moya, 31, allegedly fired a crossbow at deputies during a SWAT standoff at his home in the 9900 block of Woodglen Vista Drive.

The deputies were among those who responded to the home after Moya's mother called 911 to report that her son had "threatened to kill her, possibly had an undiagnosed mental condition and was possibly in possession of weapons including an ax and a knife," according to Sheriff's Lt. Greg Rylaarsdam.

Standing near the front door of the home, deputies called to her son — later identified as Moya — who "responded by peeking around a corner and firing an arrow from bow at the deputies, striking the doorway nearby where they stood," Rylaarsdam said.

The deputies retreated from the doorway and called for backup. They called Moya on the phone and used a PA system in an effort to get him to come outside, but he would not, according to sheriff's officials.

"As additional deputies began to arrive, a team was put together to take the man into custody in the event he exited the house,"Rylaarsdam said. "As they did this, the man appeared at an upstairs window and fired additional arrows at the deputies in front of the home."

The deputies, Kastelic, Riggin and Hemphill, returned fire and Moya disappeared from their view.

SWAT deputies tried to contact him but when they were not able to, used sound-and-light devices as well as electronic surveillance cameras to determine Moya was lying on the floor in an upstairs bedroom. Upon receiving no response from him, they entered the home, where he was pronounced dead at 5:37 p.m.

In accordance with the sheriff's department's procedure surrounding deputy-involved shootings, the names of the deputies were released Tuesday. Kastelic is a 9-year veteran of the department and is assigned to the Santee Station. Riggin is also assigned to the Santee Station is a 3-year veteran of the department. Hemphill is assigned to the Lakeside Sub-Station and is a 9-year veteran of the department.

According to sheriff's Lt. Ken Nelson, the three deputies are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation of the fatal shooting.

(Patch file photo/Maggie Avants)