Man Shot During Standoff Ordered Freed From Jail

A judge criticized San Diego police Tuesday as he released from jail a man who had been shot seven times by SWAT officers during a standoff at a K mart on Mira Mesa Boulevard.

That incident happened Nov. 15 when Ben Perrin, 24, who was believed to be suicidal, holed up for nine hours in the store while armed with a .22 caliber rifle. San Diego Superior Court Judge Louis Boyle gave Perrin credit for the 120 days he has already spent in a hospital and County Jail and released him following sentencing to three years on probation.

The November incident began when Perrin asked to see a rifle at the store.

The store was evacuated when Perrin produced his own ammunition and loaded the rifle.

Boyle criticized police during the sentencing, saying he was unable to understand why they sent a police dog to attack Perrin when he was holding no hostages. After Perrin wounded the dog he was shot seven times by SWAT officers.

Boyle followed the recommendation of probation officers in passing sentence. Perrin could have been sent to state prison for as long as three years and fined $10,000.

Perrin was believed depressed over the breakup with his girlfriend at the time of the incident. He had threatened to kill himself during the siege.

Perrin had also been charged with displaying a weapon in a threatening manner, but that charge was dismissed when he pleaded guilty to shooting the dog on March 7. The dog survived.

Perrin spent months in the hospital recovering from his wounds and charges were not filed against him until Jan. 13.