A 23-year veteran of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) has been identified as the deputy that opened fire in a deputy-involved shooting this past weekend.
Deputy Richard Phillips, assigned to the Campo office, fired a shotgun round at the suspect, 66-year-old Bruce Dawley.
The incident started at approximately 10:44 a.m. when deputies responded to a call from a Dawley, who said he had a gun and was feeling suicidal on the 2500 block of Gladiola Drive, SDSO Lt. Kenneth Nelson said.
When deputies arrived, there was a confrontation between Dawley and deputies.
Dawley fired at least one round from a handgun at deputies, and Phillips returned fire, Nelson said.
The man then retreated back into his home.
Deputies called for the Sheriff's Special Enforcement Detail to respond as well.
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Officials later found the man dead inside, Nelson said.
The Medical Examiner has completed their autopsy. The cause of death was a shotgun wound to the torso, and the manner of death was a homicide.
The Sheriff’s Homicide Detail will investigate. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974- 2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
