Police Open Fire On Suspect In Mission Valley; No Injuries Reported

SAN DIEGO, CA — At least one San Diego Police Department officer opened fire on a suspect Tuesday -- missing him -- during a confrontation near the San Diego River in Mission Valley, authorities reported.

The shooting occurred at about 9:45 a.m. Tuesday off the 4800 block of Pacific Highway, just north of Interstate 8 and a short distance east of Interstate 5, according to the SDPD.

Following the gunfire, the suspect, a parolee in his 40s known to police, fled through the riverbed, eluding pursuing patrol personnel, SDPD Officer Sarah Foster said.

Officers, including a SWAT team and the crew of an SDPD helicopter circling overhead, searched the area through the late morning for the suspect, who remained at large at midday, Foster said.

In the early afternoon, police located the suspect, finding him hiding deep in heavy brush near the river, according to police. After the man refused repeated orders to surrender, officers -- who had determined that he was unarmed and not wounded -- backed off for a time, Foster said.

The suspect was taken into custody thanks to the assistance of a police dog. He was to be booked for felony parole violation, authorities said.

Per the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, personnel from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation into the shooting.

Anyone with information regarding this confrontation is asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

— City News Service