A man was shot by a San Diego County Sheriff's deputy in a Vista neighborhood Tuesday after reports that he had a knife and "what appeared to be a rifle in his possession," officials said.
Deputies first responded to a 7-Eleven at the intersection of E. Bobier Drive and N. Santa Fe Avenue at about 12:20 p.m. after a "terrified" caller said that a man slashed their tires and was threatening them with a knife, SDSO Lt. Amber Baggs said.
The individuals did not know each other, SDSO said.
The man, identified Wednesday as 20-year-old Omar Rojas, took off by the time deputies arrived but SDSO began searching the area for the individual. About a half-hour later, the man was located in the backyard of a home on Kiva Lane, in a neighborhood just north of the 7-Eleven, Lt. Mike Arens said.
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Arens said there was "lots of negotiation and de-escalation" with Rojas but about 15 minutes after making contact with him, one deputy opened fire and he was struck by gunfire at least once.
It was unclear how many rounds were fired and what led to the moment shots were fired.
What deputies believed was a rifle turned out to be a black pellet gun, Baggs said.
Rojas was transported to Palomar Hospital with injuries and was expected to survive. He was in SDSO custody at the hospital and faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and felony vandalism.
No deputies were hurt, SDSO said.
Local
SkyRanger 7 showed several law enforcement vehicles in a neighborhood with police tape blocking off the street outside one home in the area. Paramedics with the Vista Fire Department were also on scene.
An investigation into the shooting was ongoing. Drivers were asked to avoid the area near the intersection of E. Bobier Drive, N. Santa Fe Avenue and Kiva Lane.
