Latest news with #LaMesaPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
La Mesa police officer who fired weapon in chaotic chase identified
LA MESA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The officer who fired his weapon during a chaotic pursuit of a domestic violence suspect in La Mesa earlier this week has been identified by authorities. 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. Bodycam footage shows man brandishing hatchet before police shooting 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. Cause, manner of death revealed for 9-year-old who died after dental procedure 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.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man shot dead at memorial event in East County; no arrests made
LA MESA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A 35-year-old man was fatally shot during a memorial event in La Mesa on Thursday and a suspect remains on the loose, authorities said. According to the La Mesa Police Department, a call came in shortly after 8:30 p.m. reporting that someone had been shot at 8705 Echo Dr. Officers quickly arrived on the scene and found the victim, a Black man from San Diego, with a gunshot wound to the head. Pedestrian struck by BMW in Bankers Hills First responders immediately began providing first aid until paramedics arrived and transported the victim to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. The victim's identity is being withheld pending notification of next of family. According to police, initial investigations indicate the victim had been attending a memorial event at the location when the shooting occurred. The event was nearing its conclusion when gunshots rang out, causing many attendees to flee the scene. Authorities have not yet identified the shooter and investigators are working to gather more details, including a description of the suspect and the suspect's escape route following the incident. Authorities are urging anyone who may have been in the area during the time of the shooting or anyone with information about the case to come forward. Those with tips can contact the La Mesa Police Department at 619-667-1400, or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case. An investigation into the deadly shooting remains ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
