A man shot by Harbor police officers after he allegedly drew a weapon outside their headquarters Sunday was in critical condition, according to investigators.
The incident began when a 29-year-old man, identified as Eric Medina by police, drove to the front of the Harbor Police Headquarters located at 3380 North Harbor Drive Sunday afternoon and used a callbox to contact police asking for assistance, said Lt. Jud Campbell of the San Diego Police Department, which is investigating the incident.
A Harbor police officer came outside and approached the man inside his grey Honda Civic, SDPD said. The man then brought out a firearm and pointed it in the direction of the officer, Campbell said.
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The officer retreated behind a pillar and broadcasted on his police radio that the man had a gun. The man continued to point the gun at the officer and other responding officers, Campbell said.
Police said the officer drew his weapon and fired at the man multiple times. A sergeant and a lieutenant who came outside to assist, also fired their weapons at the man, according to Campbell.
The man was taken into custody, given first aid and then transferred to a local hospital where he is in critical condition, Campbell said. The man's identity is not being released at this time.
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The San Diego Police Homicide Unit was called to the scene to investigate the incident. Detectives have recovered a firearm from the car at the scene, Campbell said.
“We’re trying to get to the bottom of what led this male here. Why he was armed with a firearm and all of these questions will hopefully come out in the investigation,” SDPD Capt. Rich Freedman said.
Police said no officers were injured or struck by gunfire. The names of the officers involved in this incident are not being released at this time.
The first responding officer has been employed by the Port of San Diego Harbor Police for approximately seven years. The sergeant has been employed for approximately 22 years, and the lieutenant has been employed for approximately 24 years, Campbell told NBC 7. The officer, sergeant and lieutenant are currently assigned to patrol.
Medina was later arraigned in the hospital and faces a charge of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
