A La Mesa police officer opened fire on a man suspected of choking a woman before he led police on two chases — including a very short one in which the suspect had young children in the car — late Sunday morning, officials said.
The 29-year-old man was not struck by the gunfire, but he was bitten by a police dog and shocked with a Taser when police caught and arrested him, San Diego police homicide Lt. Lou Maggi said. As part of a countywide agreement, San Diego homicide detectives investigate when officers in other law enforcement agencies fire their weapons, regardless of whether anyone is struck by gunfire.
According to Maggi, someone called police about 10:40 a.m. to report a man was strangling a woman in the area of Normal Avenue just west of Parks Avenue.
As officers arrived, they spotted the man driving off with a woman. He eventually pulled over and allowed the 29-year-old woman to get out before taking off. Officers started to chase him but stopped when they realized two children, ages 5 and 7, were in the car, police said.
The man soon returned, let the kids out, then took off. Officers again gave chase, throwing down a spike strip that the man drove over, then kept going.
He stopped on Parks. A police car pulled up behind him. As an officer exited from the enger seat, getting ready to hold the suspect at gunpoint, the suspect backed into the police car, police said. The impact injured the eight-year veteran officer, who opened fire on the suspect’s car, Maggi said.
The bullets hit the car but not the suspect. He drove off again, this time leading officers on a long chase through San Diego — and driving over two more spike strips — before heading back into La Mesa.
There, on University Avenue not far from La Mesa Boulevard, one of the suspect’s relatives stepped in front of the car, forcing the fleeing driver to stop. He got out and ran about two blocks before officers caught and arrested him.
The man was taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries incurred during the arrest, then was booked into jail on suspicion of several charges, including domestic violence and child endangerment.
The officer who had sustained a head injury before opening fire was treated at a hospital and released.
