Slain Robber Used a Toy Gun

The county medical examiner on Saturday identified Norman Lamont Jones, 31, of South San Diego as the man slain by police following a robbery at a Mission Valley shopping center.

Jones died of gunshot wounds at the scene Friday night after he pointed what turned out to be a toy gun at officers in the parking lot at Fashion Valley, a police spokesman said Saturday.

Five police officers surrounded Jones in the parking lot after responding to an armed robbery call at 6:58 p.m. With officers on all sides, and a police helicopter circling overhead, Jones sat in his car, his right hand hidden, the spokesman said. A sergeant at the scene instructed an officer to call for Jones’ surrender, he said.

“We are police officers, we believe you to be armed, put your hands where I can see them!” officers yelled to Jones.

“I don’t have a gun, put your guns away, then I’ll come out,” Jones replied, according to the spokesman.

When Jones finally emerged from his blue Cadillac, he pointed a toy replica of a snub-nosed handgun, and officers opened fire, the spokesman said.

Police said that Jones, an unemployed hair dresser, robbed the Woolworth’s store of an undisclosed amount of cash, and that he displayed a weapon in his waistband to a store clerk during the robbery.

An investigation into the shooting continued Saturday, said Lt. Paul Ybarrondo. Such an investigation is routine following any officer-involved shooting. There is no indication of any violations of police procedure, he said. All five officers involved in the shooting have temporarily been assigned desk work as the investigation continues, Ybarrondo said.