Officer Shoots, Kills Man Who Won’t Drop Pistol

A 42-year-old man who refused to drop his pistol was shot and killed by a San Diego police officer in Golden Hill late Tuesday night, police said.

Rodolfo Mendoza-Hernandez was shot once in the head about 11 p.m. when he refused orders by a police officer to drop the gun he was carrying, police spokesman Bill Robinson said.

Mendoza was taken to UC San Diego Medical Center, where he died almost one hour later, Robinson said.

The shooting occurred after three officers responded to a call of shots being fired in the 2500 block of G Street, Robinson said.

When police arrived, they saw four men standing in an open courtyard between two ground-level apartments, Robinson said.

One of the men, later identified as Mendoza, advanced toward the officers carrying a semi-automatic pistol, Robinson said.

One officer, whose name has not been released, commanded Mendoza in English and Spanish to stop and drop the weapon, but he continued to advance, Robinson said.

The officer fired two shots at him, missing both times, Robinson said.

Mendoza continued walking toward the officer with his weapon drawn and the officer fired a final time, striking Mendoza in the head, Robinson said.

The three other men were not involved in the incident.

The officer has been assigned to administrative duties during the investigation, Robinson said.

Mendoza is the first person shot by police this year. Police shot and killed four people and injured 12 in 1991, police Lt. Paul Ybarrondo said. One officer was killed in the line of duty.

Last year’s shootings showed a marked decrease from 1990’s record of 28, including 12 fatalities and 16 injuries. The shootings provoked public outcry and moved police to explore less violent methods of subduing suspects including stun guns, police dogs and rubber bullets.