Authorities on Wednesday released the names of two San Diego police officers who fatally shot a 37-year-old man during a late-night shootout in Barrio Logan last week.
Officers Christopher Aguilar and Jacob Meyers have each been with the Police Department for two years and are assigned to Central Division, the county Sheriff’s Department said.
The shooting happened about 11:30 p.m. Friday after the two officers tried to pull over Christopher Dearman for an equipment violation on Logan Avenue near Cesar E. Chavez Parkway, sheriff’s homicide Lt. Chris Steffen said.
Dearman, who was in a Dodge Ram truck, briefly sped up for about two blocks before stopping near Chicano Park; he exited the pickup with a handgun, according to Steffen. He and the officers opened fire.
The suspect shot at least twice at officers, and one bullet struck the hood of the patrol vehicle near the driver’s side.
Investigators are still determining who fired first.
Dearman and the handgun fell to the ground after the shooting, the lieutenant said. Officers ordered Dearman to move away from the weapon, and when he didn’t, a police dog was sent to pull him away from the firearm.
Dearman was then detained and taken to a hospital, where he died.
The Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident under a countywide protocol that ensures no law enforcement agency investigates its own police shootings. Officials said there is body-worn camera footage of the incident.
Aguilar and Meyers are currently on administrative assignment until they are cleared to return to full duty.