SDSO Releases New Information in Deputy-Involved Shooting in Poway

Deputies feared 38-year old Trenton Lohman would harm citizens, leading them to open fire at him.

New details revealed on Thursday show that a suspect in an deputy-involved shooting in Poway did not fire his weapon, but did point his gun at a deputy.

Deputies feared 38-year old Trenton Lohman would harm citizens, leading them to open fire at him, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department (SDSO).

The incident began on Aug. 18, when deputies responded to reports of suspicious activity in the parking lot of an auto repair shop on Poway Road.

“When the first initial deputy showed up, he was confronted by Lohman. Mr. Lohman produced a handgun and pointed it at the deputy,” said SDSO Lt. Kenn Nelson. “The deputy fearing for his life and safety, fired multiple rounds.”

Lohman had then attempted to leave in his own vehicle but was blocked by several deputies arriving on scene. He then got into a deputy’s patrol car and drove off, leading police on a pursuit through Poway.

During the pursuit, Lohman got out of the patrol car and carjacked a person at gunpoint at the intersection of Espola and Poway roads. He had driven approximately 100 yards in the SUV when four deputies fired at him.

“They knew he was armed,” said Nelson, speaking of the deputies involved in the incident. “They knew he already pointed a gun at deputies, they knew he pointed a gun at a citizen and carjacked him. So, they were fearful if he go away, he would do other violent acts towards citizens of Poway and San Diego.”

Lohman was shot in the upper body and the SUV veered off the road and down into a ravine. He was found dead inside the vehicle.

According to SDSO, deputies found another gun, a hatchet, ammunition and knives inside the hijacked SUV.

Lohman had been on parole from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation when he was shot.

People who knew him had told NBC 7 that he had been attempting to turn his life around and they don’t know what went wrong.

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