SDPD

San Diego Police Release Names of Officers Involved in Sunday Shooting

A San Diego police officer was shot in the torso following a high-speed pursuit.

San Diego Police have released the names of officers involved in a shooting that left one suspect dead and one police officer wounded.

Officer Heather Seddon, a five year veteran assigned to the Northern Division, was identified as the officer shot Sunday morning. Seddon suffered a bullet wound to the neck and and the bullet lodged into her shoulder. She had the bullet removed Sunday. 

Suspect Dennis Richard Fiel, 34, of San Diego, shot Seddon, police said. 

"This is just a solemn reminder as to the dangers officers face each day while proudly protecting and serving the citizens of our great city," said Zimmerman.

Two additional officers responded to the scene. Officer Joshua Hodge, a four-year veteran assigned to the Northern Division, and officer Mario Larrea, a five-year veteran assigned to the Eastern Division, both responded. 

Two body cameras were on during the incident and footage "captured the entire incident," Acting Captain Mike Hastings said at a press conference. Seddon's camera and Hodge's camera were both on during the incident. The footage will now go to the District Attorney's Office for the investigation.

The incident started as a high speed pursuit, when a gray late model Jeep heading southbound on State Route 163 did not yield to lights and sirens while driving approximately 90 miles per hour, Lt. Mike Hastings said. 

Officers lost sight of the suspect's car on State Route 163 at the Mesa College Exit. When additional officers assisted, officials found the suspect's car near the 7700 block of Mesa College Drive. 

The license plate linked the car to one that had been used in several shootings throughout the City of San Diego over the last several weeks, Hastings said. 

The incident turned into a foot pursuit when officers saw a man walking a short distance from where they found the car and officers approached him. The man being chased showed a gun and began firing at officers near Highway 163 at Health Center Drive, Hastings said. 

Hodge and Larrea "fired several rounds" at the suspect, Hastings said, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. 

At a press conference Monday, police said they believe the suspect may be connected to six shootings at buildings throughout the county, including a shooting in January and on May 10 at a 7/11 on the 9100 block of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and two seperate shootings at an SDG&E building on April 17 and May 8.

When a homicide investigation unit served a search warrant at the suspect's house, they said they found a weapon and magazines for the weapon as  well as a large marijuana grow. 

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

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