Man Who Was Killed by Police in Knife Incident Is Identified

The man police officers shot and killed Tuesday night when he allegedly approached them with a 12-inch knife has been identified as Bruce Charles McClure, 36, of El Cajon.

According to police reports, El Cajon police Officers Leroy Bloom and Renzle Crane, along with cadet Dennis O’Neill, were confronted by McClure in an apartment complex parking lot on Millar Street about 8:30 p.m. The officers were responding to numerous complaints about a man who had been drinking and was armed with a knife.

“One of the calls was made by the subject himself asking for the police to respond,” said Lt. Randy Narramore, El Cajon’s chief of detectives.

McClure approached Bloom with arms raised and knife pointed, Narramore said. The two other officers were standing to the left of Bloom.

Bloom, a seven-year veteran, repeatedly told the man to stop and drop the knife, commonly called a commando knife because of its fixed blade and compass.

The officers backed up a couple of steps but McClure refused to stop. When McClure was within six feet, Bloom shot him twice, Narramore said.

McClure was transported by Life Flight to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:55 p.m.

McClure had warrants out for his arrest involving numerous traffic violations.

Narramore said the officers involved are expected to continue to report for duty, “although more than likely, they’ll take a couple of days off.”

“It is not mandatory that officers involved in shootings take administrative leave,” Narramore said. “They do, however, get the option of seeking counseling.”

The investigation into the shooting is expected to be completed by Friday, subject to reviews by the chief of police and the district attorney’s office, Narramore said.