Teen-Ager in Stolen Car Shot by San Diego Officer During Confrontation

A 14-year-old boy who was riding in a stolen car was shot and wounded by a police officer Wednesday after the boy’s companion reportedly began backing the vehicle toward the officer in Southeast San Diego.

It was the fourth time in recent months that San Diego area police have fired their weapons after becoming targets of motorists.

“It’s happened a lot lately, it seems,” said Dave Cohen, a San Diego Police Department spokesman.

The boy wounded early Wednesday was taken to Mercy Hospital, where he was listed in fair condition Wednesday night. He lives in National City.

Police said it was unclear whether Officer Danny Vega, a four-year veteran of the force, was aiming his revolver at the 15-year-old driver or the victim. Because of their ages, neither boy was identified.

Cohen said Vega “was moving at the time” and, fearing for his life, fired.

“He immediately began to retreat as the car came at him. He fired four rounds, and one round struck the kid in the head,” Cohen said. “And his aim may not have been the best, given the fact he was trying to save his life.”

Disputed by Witnesses

However, several witnesses to the shooting said Vega was never in jeopardy. They said the boys’ car was attempting to leave the scene when Vega fired.

“There was no reason” for the shooting, said Bob Neal, 16, who lives near the scene.

Capt. Dick Toneck, the chief police spokesman, said officers may fire their weapons only if their lives or the safety of someone else is in jeopardy. He said officers are prohibited from shooting to stop fleeing cars.

“If the car is being used as a deadly weapon, and being driven at you, you have the right to protect your life and the life of others,” Toneck said. “If (a driver) opts to aim a 2,000-pound weapon at you, like a car, you have to take some action.

“We always encourage officers not to place themselves in positions where they might get run over. But eventually, you have to approach a car from some angle. And you have to take some risks.”

Police gave this account of the shooting:

Vega, 27, and his partner, Officer Paul Wayne, also 27, a policeman since June, saw a car speeding in the 4900 block of Logan Avenue about 12:30 a.m.

As they began a pursuit, the car crossed Logan and struck the curb on the northern side of the street, coming to rest in front of the Westwood Villas apartments.

Vega stopped the patrol car a short distance behind the car. Wayne got out and went to the passenger side of the suspects’ car.

Car Accelerates

Vega had just stepped out of the patrol car when the boys’ car began backing quickly toward him. He stepped backward but found himself confined between the approaching car and his patrol car.

“The officer observed the driver looking over his shoulder at him, and he kept coming,” Lt. Phil Jarvis said. “He had just exited his (patrol) car. . . . It all happened in a matter of seconds.”

Vega fired four times. The car then missed Vega and hit the patrol car, spinning it about 90 degrees and causing substantial damage, Jarvis said.

Several witnesses to the incident told a different story:

At least four witnesses said the two policemen were still in the patrol car when the boys’ car started backing up. They asserted that the vehicle hit the police car with the patrolmen still inside. The boys’ car, with a flat tire, then tried to speed away, and the officers reacted, the four witnesses said.

“They got out and (Vega) started firing,” said Alonzo Price, 17.

Asked why Vega fired his revolver, Neal, the other witness, said: “I guess because they didn’t stop.”

Police said the youths’ car was reported stolen from a Paradise Hills residence Sunday.