San Diego

Sheriff's Department: Man Aimed Gun at Deputy in Encinitas Shooting

The man shot and injured by a San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy in Encinitas Monday aimed a handgun at deputies before one deputy opened fire, officials said.

Robert Parkin, 53, was armed with a .45 handgun when deputies tried to pull him over, detectives with the Sheriff's Homicide Detail said Tuesday.

Deputies believed Parkin matched the description of an armed robbery suspect when they spotted him riding a blue motorcycle near Birmingham and El Camino Real just before 6 a.m.

The motorcycle did not stop until it crashed at the corner of El Camino Court and El Camino Real in front of the Pacific Pines Apartments.

As Parkin ran toward the apartment complex, he pulled the handgun from his waistband and "began to point the gun" at deputies, officials said in a written news release.

Three deputies chased the suspect. One deputy fired and struck the suspect, SDSO Lt. Kenn Nelson said.

Even after Parkin suffered multiple gunshots to the lower portion of his body, he refused to follow commands and reached for his gun, officials said.

The deputy then fired his weapon again.

Parkin was struck six times including in both thighs, his scalp and his buttocks, deputies said. Twelve rounds were fired.

Nelson said deputies recovered money and a weapon on the ground.

Parkin is facing charges of armed robbery for an incident at a taco shop on Birmingham as well as assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and felony evading. 

Nelson said there was no deputy-worn body camera footage of the incident.

No deputies were injured in the pursuit or shooting.

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