The Escondido Police Department responded to reports of a man wielding a knife and acting erratically at the intersection of Centre City Parkway and Felicita Avenue in Escondido, California. The man, identified as Juan Ramos, was seen approaching drivers with a knife before walking in the opposite direction of traffic. As police arrived on the scene, they surrounded Ramos with their guns drawn, instructing him to drop the knife. Despite multiple warnings, Ramos refused to comply and officers were forced to open fire, shooting him multiple times.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with Ramos continuing to stand and run even after being shot. Eventually, he collapsed and was taken to the hospital for surgery. Ramos is expected to survive his injuries but will face charges for assaulting a peace officer with a deadly weapon.
Following the incident, San Diego Police Homicide Detectives were called in to investigate the officers’ use of force. Lieutenant Chris Tivanian stated that Ramos ignored commands to drop the knife and ran towards the officers, prompting them to shoot him. The investigation will determine if the officers will face any criminal charges for their actions.
The review process for officer-involved shootings is thorough, involving multiple agencies such as the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the US Attorney’s Office. The Escondido Police Department will also conduct an administrative investigation into the officers’ use of firearms.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. The investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as they become available.
