On Friday, a tense situation unfolded in Spring Valley when San Diego Sheriff's deputies were forced to shoot an armed trespasser, later identified as Victor Rendon Jr., after an afternoon filled with mortal jeopardy and chaotic events. The 34-year-old Hispanic male was pronounced deceased at the scene by authorities after pointing a gun at the deputies, which concluded a series of perilous actions, including firing shots and brandishing the weapon erratically.
The incident began around 3:18 p.m. when deputies received a call from a woman claiming her ex-boyfriend had entered her home through the back door while under the influence and experiencing mental health issues. This man, now known to us as Victor Rendon Jr. had a gun, and there were four children present. Upon arriving and talking with the woman outside, deputies entered the residence on the 900 block of Leland Street and ensured the children's safety by taking them out of the situation. Not long after, Rendon Jr. discharged his firearm in the backyard where deputies were nearby, less than fifteen feet away, per the original report provided by the City of San Diego Government's site.
Despite initial reports suggesting Rendon Jr. may have shot through the front door, a more thorough investigation revealed no such evidence; however, deputies did witness the troubled man throwing items from the residence and shooting three times inside the house. Law enforcement, including helicopter units, maintained a presence over the scene, capturing the event as it escalated to its fatal conclusion at 4:55 p.m. the deputies' body cameras affirmed all actions.
The deputies involved in the shooting have been identified and include Deputy Evan Carey, Deputy Chalit Carranto, Deputy Thomas Cook, Deputy Darryl Patmon, Deputy Frank Spinelli, Deputy Derek Trumbo, and Deputy Manuel Zamora, all serving varying lengths with the San Diego Sheriff's Office ranging from two to approximately twelve years. Now, the San Diego Police Homicide Detectives have initiated an investigation to dissect this case's intricate details and ascertain its compliance with legal protocols. According to their policy on officer-involved shootings, multiple reviews will follow the detectives' report, including an administrative review by the San Diego Sheriff’s Office and additional oversight by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Attorney’s Office.
The community has been impacted significantly by this incident, and anyone with additional information is urged to come forward and contribute to the ongoing investigation by contacting the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 to help in filling the gaps of this tragic occurrence.
