A predawn shooting in an Escondido alley left at least one person wounded early today as San Diego police stepped in to lead the investigation, authorities said.
The gunfire broke out around 4 a.m. near North Elm Street and East Grand Avenue. An Escondido police officer was involved in the incident but was not injured, and investigators swarmed the alley in the early morning hours, working under floodlights while they searched for evidence and witnesses. The identity and condition of the person who was shot have not yet been released.
What police say happened
The San Diego Police Department took over the case after emergency calls reported shots fired in the alley near North Elm Street and East Grand Avenue, according to NBC 7 San Diego. A reporter from the station was at the scene gathering details as detectives began their work. Officials have released few specifics so far, keeping a tight lid on information while the investigation is in its early stages.
Why SDPD is leading the probe
Under a countywide memorandum of understanding, San Diego police are designated as the lead investigative agency when shootings involve officers from other local departments. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office has said the agreement is intended to promote impartiality and transparency in officer-involved shooting cases. The MOU, which was signed by more than a dozen regional agencies, including the Escondido Police Department, lays out how outside investigators step in whenever an officer pulls the trigger.
Context: other recent Escondido shootings
The shooting comes after several other recent incidents involving Escondido officers. In November, a man was hospitalized after officers opened fire, and San Diego homicide detectives were brought in to handle the investigation, KGTV reported. In a separate case last August, a freeway shooting involving Escondido officers triggered a California Department of Justice review under AB 1506, underscoring how some encounters can draw state-level scrutiny.
What investigators will focus on
Detectives are expected to pull body-worn camera footage, look for surveillance video in nearby businesses and homes, and interview residents and other potential witnesses as they process the alley where the shooting occurred. Once San Diego police complete their investigation, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office will review the case under the county agreement, according to the Sheriff's Office.
How to help
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or San Diego Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477, according to the San Diego Police Department. We will update this report as officials release more information.
