SAN DIEGO — Gun threats and violence against San Diego police officers have hit a five year high, according to statistics provided by the San Diego Police Department. Three SDPD officers have been shot in the past 12 months.
“If you have a suspect that’s willing to shot at law enforcement, they’re willing to shoot at anybody,” said SDPD Chief David Nisleit on Friday.
So far in 2023, two SDPD officers have been threatened with a gun, five officers were shot at, and now two SDPD officers have been wounded.
With last night’s shooting of an SDPD sergeant in 4S Ranch, since December of last year, three SDPD officers have been wounded by gunfire.
In all three cases over the past 12 months where San Diego police officers were shot, the incidents began as calls related to stolen vehicles.
On December 12, 2022, San Diego officer Javier Hernandez was shot during a foot chase in a Mountain View apartment complex. Hernandez was chasing the driver of a stolen truck, who turned and fired several shots at the officer. The officer was shot three times but survived his wounds thanks to his bulletproof vest.
The alleged shooter, Andrew Garcia, has pleaded not guilty and he is still awaiting a trial date nearly a year after the shooting.
Another San Diego police officer was shot in the arm on June 8 during a foot chase in City Heights, also involving a stolen truck.
Officers arrested JC Sartor after a six-day manhunt. Sartor has pleaded not guilty. A preliminary hearing still has not been set.
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