La Mesa police officer who fired weapon in chaotic chase identified
The events that led up to the pursuit began around 10:40 a.m., when La Mesa Police Department officers responded to a report of a man strangling a woman in the area of 7700 Normal Ave.
According to the San Diego Police Department, who is leading the investigation into the shooting, officers saw the suspect get in a vehicle with the woman inside and drive away as they arrived on scene.
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La Mesa police officers then attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Jahlil Johnson, did not yield. However, he did pull over briefly to let the woman out of the vehicle before taking off again, SDPD said.
Officers pursued the vehicle until it was learned that two young children, ages 5 and 7, were also inside, prompting the chase to be called off. According to SDPD, Johnson returned to the location where the female passenger was let out a short time later to let the kids exit the vehicle.
With the kids out of the vehicle, SDPD says La Mesa police officers reinitiated the pursuit. A tire deflation device was deployed at this time, but Johnson continued driving.
The suspect was eventually stopped in the area of 4400 Parks Ave. with a police vehicle stopping behind him.
According to SDPD, the officer in the passenger seat then attempted to get out of the vehicle to conduct a high-risk vehicle stop, but Johnson backed up into the front of it. Upon impact, the officer hit his head. In response, he fired his weapon multiple times at the vehicle.
The officer, who hit the vehicle but not the suspect, was identified Friday as Taylor Persitza, an eight-year veteran of the La Mesa Police Department. He was transported to a hospital for treatment to his head injury following the collision.
After the crash, the suspect then fled again, taking him into the city of San Diego. Tire deflation devices were deployed twice more to no avail.
The pursuit finally came to an end in the area of 7800 University Ave. after a relative of Johnson stepped in front of the vehicle, according to SDPD. Once stopped, he exited the vehicle to attempt to flee on foot.
The suspect ran for about two blocks, but officers with La Mesa, San Diego and El Cajon were able to catch up to him. A taser and K-9 were used to take him into custody.
Johnson sustained non-critical injuries in the arrest and has since been released. He was booked into a San Diego County Jail and faces multiple felony charges including domestic violence and child endangerment, according to SDPD.
While the suspect was not shot, SDPD's Homicide Unit was called in to lead the investigation into the incident under the county's memorandum of understanding regarding shootings involving police officers.
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Once the investigation concludes, it will be handed to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office for review to determine if the officer bears any criminal liability for his actions. The La Mesa Police Department will also conduct an administrative investigation into the discharge of the weapon.
According to SDPD, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney's Office will also be monitoring the investigation.
Authorities are encouraging anyone with information regarding this incident to call SDPD's Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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