Alarming body camera footage has emerged, showing six officers firing at a car passenger who grabbed a gun and opened fire during a standoff in San Diego.
The San Diego Sheriff’s Department released this video of the incident that unfolded in San Marcos on February 18, where a 33-year-old passenger was shot and killed following a routine traffic stop.
In the footage, deputies can be heard urging Andre Rafael Mendez to drop his weapon during a confrontation that escalated after several minutes.
The situation intensified when Mendez did not comply, prompting officers to forcibly remove the female driver from the vehicle.
Amid repeated commands from the deputies, one officer smashed the passenger window with a baton in an attempt to gain control.
The standoff escalated dramatically when the officers used their Tasers, at which point Mendez raised his gun and fired back, eliciting a rapid response of police gunfire.
The video captures perspectives from six officers present and also includes recordings from bystanders using their cellphones.
Prior to the incident, a deputy had pulled over a red Hyundai Sonata for a broken taillight on North Twin Oaks Valley Road, according to reports.
Mendez provided deputies with a false name, and a subsequent vehicle search suggested it might have been stolen.
As the situation unfolded, Mendez became increasingly uncooperative, disregarding orders to close the window and instead lifting it to access the gun on the floor before the confrontation turned deadly.
Life-saving attempts were made by Sheriff’s Office personnel at the scene, but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful.
There were no injuries reported for anyone else involved in the encounter.
