NATIONAL CITY, Calif. — A San Diego Sheriff's detective shot a man and killed him after he fled a traffic stop in National City and allegedly shot at the Sheriff's deputy.
The shooting happened Friday afternoon on Hoover Avenue near the National City Mile of Cars, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Deputies on patrol stopped a 2002 white Acura sedan just before 1:30 p.m. on Mile of Cars Way. Authorities say a man got out from the passenger side of the vehicle and ran from the scene.
On Wednesday, San Diego Police said the Acura was occupied by two men and a woman. The two remaining people in the car were detained while law enforcement searched for the man who fled.
The driver was identified as 29-year-old Dominic Dimaio and the woman was identified as 36-year-old Whitney Cowan.
They were both arrested and booked on narcotics-related charges and for felons being in possession of body armor.
San Diego Police say a citizen flagged down Sheriff's Office Detective Douglas Akers, who was looking for the would-be shooter, now known to be 46-year-old Lakeside resident Gene Stewart.
Police say Akers approached the truck and ordered Stewart to surrender.
Stewart allegedly fired at least one shot toward Akers, shattering the passenger window of the tow truck. Akers returned fire, hitting the man. Despite lifesaving efforts, Stewart died at the scene. A firearm was recovered near his body.
Akers was taken to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries he suffered from shards of the broken glass. He is a 35-year veteran of the Sheriff's department, and is currently assigned to the East County Regional Gang Task Force.
Due to an agreement with San Diego County law enforcement, the San Diego Police Department's Homicide Unit will lead the investigation of the shooting. The case will then be reviewed by the District Attorney's office to determine if the deputy bears any criminal liability for his actions.
The Sheriff's Office will also conduct its own administrative investigation of the shooting.
