An Oceanside police captain has been placed on administrative leave after he shot his son --a former standout San Diego State University football player – who was attacking his own mother, deputies said.
Reginald Grigsby Jr., 25, came to the couple’s Fallbrook home on Dallas Road just after midnight on Saturday. He got into an argument with his mother, Desirah Grigsby, and then turned violent, according to Lt. Dennis Brugos.
“The father came to the aid of his wife, however, he was unable to stop the attack,” he said.
Investigators say that’s when Capt. Reginald Grigsby allegedly shot his son and then called the Sheriff's Department to report the shooting.
News of the shooting came as a surprise to neighbors who say they didn't hear any gunshots. In fact they only learned of the incident after investigators came knocking on their door early Saturday morning.
"It’s very shocking, definitely, but everybody has issues." Fallbrook resident Terri Spencer said.
Grigsby Jr. was taken to Palomar Medical Center. His mother was taken to Fallbrook Hospital -- she was later released.
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Oceanside police spokesman Sgt. Kelan Poorman told the North County Times that Oceanside police Chief Frank McCoy had been up all night with Grigsby and his family.
"The chief has said they're in shock right now after all this that has happened," Poorman said. He said that the city and police department took a compassionate view of Grigsby's troubles and hoped to help him and his family get through them.
Investigators say the younger Grigsby has a history of mental problems.
“ I never knew that side of the story," Spencer said.
According to San Diego State University's Web site, the younger Grigsby started his college football career in 2003 and was a starting safety in 2005. He attended El Camino High.
Lon Sheriff, a former San Diego State quarterback, played football with Grigsby Jr. and says he's stunned by the news.
“Mild mannered guy, nice likeable guy, easy going kind of guy," he said. "In my opinion, he was an all around solid kid. Solid on the field -- solid on and off."
The football player's profile also listed him as a criminal justice major.
The police department will await more information from the sheriff's investigation before making further personnel decisions about Grigsby, Poorman said. Grigsby is one of three Oceanside police captains who serve directly under the chief.
"As a police officer you are a police officer 24 hours a day and that is given to you by law through the California Penal Code," Poorman said.
In 2000, the city of Oceanside settled for $23,500 a $5 million claim that Grigsby filed alleging a climate within the police department that fostered racial discrimination against him, the paper reported.
Anyone with information about this incident should call (858) 974-2321 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-TIPS (8477).
