Published December 27th, 2021
An Escondido, California, police officer is recovering after being shot during an exchange of gunfire after a vehicle pursuit of an individual suspected of a homicide. At approximately 5 pm on Sunday, a man in Vista, California, was shot and killed in his driveway. The investigation identified a suspect, who was related to the deceased, and was seen leaving the scene in a 2018 Chevy Silverado. Over 6 hours later, an Escondido police officer spotted the suspect’s vehicle while on patrol and initiated a pursuit of the vehicle. The pursuit lasted nearly four hours, with officers deploying spike strips, which did not stop the vehicle. Officers learned the vehicle was equipped with GM’s OnStar system, and contacted OnStar representatives, who were able to remotely slow the vehicle’s engine down, ending the pursuit. Upon stopping, the driver of the vehicle opened fire on officers, striking one in the chest. However, the officer was wearing a ballistic-resistant vest, which stopped the round. In the exchange of gunfire, the suspect was also shot by police. Both the officer and the suspect were transported to a local hospital, where the suspect later died from his injuries. The officer is being treated for what was reported to be “non-life-threatening injuries” and is expected to make a full recovery.
