The man killed by San Diego Police after shooting an officer has a history of mental illness and run-ins with law enforcement, court records reveal.
Dennis Richard Fiel, 34, was shot to death Sunday after a high-speed pursuit and a shootout with officers. SDPD investigators said before he died, Fiel shot Officer Heather Seddon in the neck, though she is expected to be fine.
Court records obtained by NBC 7 on Monday show that Fiel – also known as Dennis Kiel -- has a number of felony and misdemeanor convictions on his record. In 2008, he was accused of stealing a video game from a Game Stop in Mira Mesa and pepper-spraying a store clerk on his way out.
While he was charged with felony robbery, felony use of tear gas and misdemeanor resisting arrest, Fiel ultimately pleaded guilty to the robbery count and served three years of probation, according to records.
Before his sentencing, Fiel was evaluated by two mental health experts. The first said he suffered from severe depression, psychosis, Asperger syndrome and ADHD with a paranoid personality.
However, the second expert determined Fiel would be helped by medications and therapy, calling him a “sensitive and intelligent young man” in the court document.
Fiel also had two misdemeanor counts on his record, as well as one pending. The first count came from March 2007 when he was charged with misdemeanor vandalism, to which he pleaded guilty, got probation and paid a fine.
In March 2014, he again was sentenced to probation and a $367 fine for making an obscene and/or threatening phone call in June 2012. Most recently, Fiel was charged with misdemeanor theft last July. He was scheduled to appear at a hearing next month.
Some of Fiel’s neighbors spoke with NBC 7 about him on Monday, saying they felt something suspicious was going on.
Local
Ike Owens said any time he would drive home, Fiel would close the garage door before he even turned off the car.
“He came in and out, was a very private individual,” said Owens. “Didn’t wave, didn’t socialize with anyone that I know of.”
He said Fiel’s home was flooded with officers, rummaging through his possessions, after the suspect was killed.
“It’s definitely upsetting because we live two doors down,” said Pauline Flores.
On Monday, SDPD investigators announced Fiel was also a suspect in a string of six shootings throughout the county. They believe he shot at buildings like an SDG&E complex and a 7/11.
When homicide detectives served a search warrant to his home, they said they found a weapon and magazines, as well as a large marijuana grow.
