Six Recent Shootings and Deaths by Law Enforcement in San Diego Deemed Justified

SAN DIEGO —

The District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday that they have concluded their review of four recent shootings by law enforcement officers and two in-custody deaths, declaring that the officers’ actions in each case were legally justified. The incidents took place between 2021 and 2022, resulting in the deaths of five men and serious injuries to another individual. The shootings and deaths occurred during investigations carried out by officers from four local police departments, namely San Diego, Harbor, Chula Vista, and National City.

According to the report, two of the shootings happened when individuals pointed firearms or shot at the officers, prompting them to respond with deadly force. The other two shootings occurred when the suspects approached the officers armed with either a knife or a machete and disregarded repeated orders to drop their weapons.

The two men who died in police custody were found to have overdosed and were experiencing medical emergencies at the time of their deaths, as revealed by the findings of the investigation.

The district attorney stated that the officers involved will not face criminal charges.

Outlined below, in chronological order, are the details of each incident provided by the police and the District Attorney’s Office:

Brian Umana, 28

Brian Umana was fatally shot on October 8, 2021, by officers from the National City Police Department, who were responding to a report of a man armed with a sword attempting to break into a self-storage facility. When the officers arrived at the scene, they found Umana standing on the sidewalk, holding a machete. Despite repeated commands to drop the machete, Umana refused and advanced towards the officers. In response, the officers fired their weapons, striking Umana. Toxicology reports later revealed the presence of methamphetamine and amphetamine in Umana’s system.

Eric Jesus Medina, 29

Eric Jesus Medina was wounded during a gunfight with officers outside the San Diego Harbor Police Department on April 10, 2022. Medina had driven to the headquarters and used a call box to request assistance from a police dispatcher. When an officer approached him, Medina pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the officer, prompting the officer to fire his weapon. Two additional officers quickly responded and opened fire on Medina. He was critically injured and taken to UC San Diego Medical Center. Medina was later sentenced to nine years in state prison.

Denny Jalate, 23

Denny Jalate died after being detained by San Diego police officers on October 9, 2022. Earlier that day, Jalate’s family had called 911 to report that he had threatened to kill his stepfather and had vandalized their home. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Jalate being restrained on the ground by his parents. Jalate was unresponsive and had a weak pulse. Despite receiving immediate medical attention and CPR, he was pronounced dead at Scripps Mercy Hospital. The Medical Examiner’s Office identified alcohol poisoning, cardiovascular disease, and obesity as contributing factors in his death.

Derrick Weatherspoon, 33

Derrick Weatherspoon was fatally shot by San Diego police officers on October 18, 2022, after he opened fire on them outside a taco shop in Southcrest. Responding to reports of a man with a gun, two officers arrived at the scene and encountered Weatherspoon, who immediately began shooting at them. The officers returned fire, striking Weatherspoon multiple times. Despite being wounded, Weatherspoon continued to shoot at the officers before collapsing and dying at the scene. Toxicology reports indicated the presence of alcohol, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and cocaine in his system.

Daniel Armenta, 35

Daniel Armenta died less than 30 minutes after police discovered him overdosing on methamphetamine in City Heights on December 8, 2022. Witnesses reported seeing Armenta behaving erratically and walking in the middle of a busy street, causing vehicles to swerve to avoid hitting him. When officers arrived, Armenta had fallen to the ground and was mumbling to himself. Despite the officers’ efforts to assist him, Armenta collapsed and became unresponsive before he could be transported to a hospital. Narcan was administered, and CPR was performed, but he did not regain consciousness.

Bradley Munroe, 32

Bradley Munroe was shot and killed by a Chula Vista police officer on December 18, 2022, after he approached the officer while wielding a knife in a parking lot. The incident began when multiple callers reported a woman screaming for help and Munroe allegedly assaulting her at a shopping center. Upon arrival, an officer noticed that Munroe was armed with a knife. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, Munroe continued to advance towards the officer. Fearing for his safety, the officer discharged his firearm, fatally striking Munroe. Toxicology reports revealed the presence of amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, PCP, and fentanyl in Munroe’s system at the time of the incident.