Pendleton MPs Kill Intruder in Truck

Camp Pendleton military police shot and killed an Orange County man who barreled through the back gate of the base, led police on a chase and then refused to step out of his truck, a Marine spokesman confirmed Monday.

Jim Poyyak, 36, of Yorba Linda drove his truck through the San Luis Rey gate about 3 p.m. Saturday, Cpl. Mike Wanjura, a base spokesman, said. At a nearby housing area, Poyyak stopped and argued briefly with an unidentified female passenger, who apparently jumped out of the vehicle, Wanjura said.

When the military police arrived, Poyyak sped away, leading them on a chase around part of the base. The MPs stopped the truck by blocking Poyyak’s path with an MP van, which he struck.

Military police who approached Poyyak repeatedly told him to raise his hands and exit his vehicle, officials said. When Poyyak ducked and reached for his glove compartment, an MP grabbed him by the hair and attempted to pull him from the truck. During the struggle, the MP’s .45-caliber pistol discharged, striking Poyyak in the head.

“They told him several times to come out with his hands up,” said Gunnery Sgt. Dave Marriott, another spokesman. “A Marine tried to pull him out by his hair and a round went off.”

The bullet, which entered above Poyyak’s right eye, exited through the back of his head and was later found inside the truck.

Poyyak was taken by LifeFlight helicopter to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, where he died of his inoperable head wound at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, officials said.

Base spokesmen said it was not known whether Poyyak was armed. The shooting is under investigation by the Naval Investigative Service.

Times staff writer Ray Tessler contributed to this article.