San Diego Union-Tribune

Suspect’s gun loaded

- Caleb.lunetta@sduniontri­bune.com

ground near his feet. He continues to stand in the doorway. A dog can be heard barking loudly in the background.

After a few seconds, Lacosta bends over and reaches for the gun on the doormat in front of him, the video shows.

Simon fires multiple rounds from his rifle, striking Lacosta at close range. He slumps over and then falls backwards into his apartment.

Simon and other officers approach the door with guns drawn. Lacosta is lying on the floor of the apartment.

The video shows Simon telling some of the officers to help him clear the apartment while telling a few others to handcuff Lacosta and begin administer­ing medical aid.

Lacosta died before he could be taken to a hospital.

The video ends by showing a photo of the gun investigat­ors say was on the ground in front of Lacosta. The handgun had a loaded bullet in the chamber, according to police.

Simon has been a San Diego police officer since September 2016, and is assigned to the Special Operations Unit.

The county Sheriff ’s Department is investigat­ing the shooting under a reciprocal agreement with San Diego police that is meant to ensure that neither department investigat­es its own officers or deputies when they shoot someone.

After the Sheriff’s Department completes its investigat­ion, the District Attorney’s Office will review it to determine whether the deputies bear any criminal liability. The District Attorney’s Office reviews does all local shootings involving law enforcemen­t.

The San Diego Police Department will conduct an internal administra­tive investigat­ion, officials said. The city’s Commission on Police Practices is expected to review the incident as well.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States