A 28-year-old man suspected in a fatal shooting is dead after a multi-agency pursuit and a shootout with law enforcement officers in Oceanside Friday, according to San Diego police.
The shootout happened near the intersection of Sol and Gold drives just north of the San Luis Rey River following a police pursuit. San Diego police detectives, who are handling the investigation, initially said the man may have been struck by law enforcement gunfire and died but now believe he may have died from a self-inflicted gunshot.
The incident began just before midnight about three miles west when Oceanside police were called to investigate a domestic violence disturbance at a home on Fredricks Avenue. Oceanside police learned a 34-year-old woman who was in a relationship with the suspect was shot and killed while four children ranging in ages from 4 -17 years old were present, according to Oceanside police.
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Jasmin Cureton heard gunfire from a nearby apartment complex where investigators believe the suspect and victim lived together.
The last thing I hear is 'boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.' I think five or four shoots. 'Oh this is serious,'" Cureton said.
Before officers arrived at the home, the suspect took off toward Riverside County. Deputies there spotted the suspect vehicle at about 2:10 a.m. near Fallbrook and started a chase. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department became involved as the chase headed south, the agency said, and Oceanside police took over when the chase entered Oceanside on westbound state Route 76.
Oceanside police at one point set out spike strips to stop the vehicle. When it came to a stop at a strip mall, the suspect took off on foot, SDPD Lt. Jud Campbell said. During the foot pursuit, the suspect fired shots toward an Oceanside officer and a Riverside County sheriff's deputy, prompting both officers to return fire.
It's possible the suspect was struck by officer gunfire, but SDPD investigators now believe the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot behind the strip mall, Campbell said. The medical examiner will investigate the cause of death before a conclusion is made, Campbell added.
The Oceanside police officer involved in the shooting was a nine-year veteran of the force. The Riverside County deputy has been with the department for two years, SDPD said.
The entire strip mall parking lot was blocked off for the investigation. At the scene, several evidence markers were placed, likely indicating bullet casings. Vehicles from various agencies were at the scene and a silver car was sitting behind police tape with a door open.
No officers were hurt in the shootout, but one Riverside patrol vehicle was struck by gunfire, SDPD said.
San Diego police are leading the investigation per a county-wide law enforcement protocol that prevents agencies from investigating their own officer-fatal shootings where their officer was involved. Once their investigation is completed, the District Attorney's Office will review to determine if there was any negligence on the part of law enforcement.
Oceanside police will continue to investigate the deadly shooting at an Oceanside home.
This is a developing story. Details may change as information is released. Refresh for the latest updates.
