Police Say Facts Back Their Version of Suspect’s Slaying

Police said Tuesday the fatal shooting of a suspected drug dealer, which has ignited controversy among some Southeast residents, occurred at close range and not from a long distance, as the dead man’s family has alleged.

Assistant Police Chief Robert Burgreen said an examination of the victim’s jacket, which was torn by a bullet in the back collar area, showed charring around the tear. Such charring, he said, is consistent with a contact gunshot wound.

Additionally, the San Diego County coroner’s office said Tuesday an autopsy of the body of Johnny O. Douglas, 29, disclosed traces of gunpowder beneath the scalp, indicating the shot fired from a police gun was from close range.

The findings confirm the department’s version of Sunday’s shooting. Burgreen said Douglas “lurched backward quickly and strongly” into the service revolver of an undercover officer who chased him into an alley near 30th Street and Imperial Avenue after a drug buy. Douglas was shot in the back of the head.

Douglas was a paroled ex-convict who served a prison sentence for possession of a sawed-off shotgun. State officials said they had planned to seek his arrest for parole violation.

An Angry Response

Initially, police said Douglas was shot in a struggle for the officer’s gun. Some of Douglas’ relatives claimed after the shooting that he was shot as he ran from police.

“We’ve had a criminologist look at the jacket, and based on his experience and his expertise, the tearing of the fabric and the charring around the edges of the fabric is consistent . . . with a contact gunshot wound,” Lt. Phil Jarvis said.

The shooting prompted an angry response from some Southeast residents, who charged police harassment. But Burgreen said the high police presence on Southeast San Diego streets exists because of complaints by residents of illegal drug activity.

“We’ve had a lot of discussion in the past about the impact of narcotics on crime in San Diego,” Burgreen said. “I think this is a classic example of the danger of the narcotics business and the hazards that go with it in our city.”

Burgreen defended the strong police presence in the Southeast area, saying police crackdowns on the drug trade happen “because of concerns of many people who live, work and run businesses in that area.”

According to police, undercover officers bought “crack,” a powerful cocaine derivative, from a man who got the drug from Douglas. After the drug and money were exchanged, the undercover officers notified other police standing by that the deal had been consummated. They converged on the two men, one of whom surrendered to police.

Fled Down Street

But Douglas allegedly fled down the street, two undercover officers in pursuit. In a narrow alley near the 2900 block of Imperial, Burgreen said, one of the officers caught up to Douglas, grabbed him by the jacket collar, and ordered him to place his arms in full view.

When he failed to comply, Burgreen said, the officer tried to push Douglas on the ground. But Douglas suddenly lurched backward and the officer’s .38-caliber revolver discharged accidentally, Burgreen said.

Jarvis said a marked $20 bill used in the drug buy was found next to Douglas’ body in the alley.

The results of the department’s investigation will be turned over to the district attorney’s office.