Officers Shot in Rolando Expected to Fully Recover: SDPD

A suspect was dead after opening fire and injuring two police officers at a San Diego apartment late Saturday night, police said.

“Last night was a rough night for our department,” San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit said in a Sunday morning press conference. 

Police received a call about a “disturbance with violence” around 10:15 p.m. at the Tuscany Place apartment complex on the 4800 block of Rolando Court, about one mile from San Diego State University.

“We have responded numerous times to this location over the last several years,” Nisleit said. 

When officers responded, they smelled what they thought was smoke and fire and requested the assistance of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. 

“As soon as they open the door, they were met with gunfire,” Nisleit said.

The officers returned fire, and two of the officers were injured in the shooting, Nisleit added. One officer was hit multiple times. It’s unknown how many total rounds were fired in the exchange.

The injured officers were taken to the hospital for treatment, the chief said. One officer was seriously injured, and the other officer has unknown injuries, Nisleit said. “They’re both expected to make a full recovery,” he added. 

The injured officers were three- and 18-year veterans of Eastern Division, the chief said.

Nisleit wrote a statement on Twitter Sunday morning that read: “I’m thankful that our officers are expected to make a full recovery. I’m grateful to all of our San Diego County Law Enforcement Officers and Deputies who responded to our call for help last night. I ask that you please send your prayers to our injured officers and their families as they begin their road to recovery.” 

The suspect was wearing body armor and has an “extensive criminal history,” Nisleit explained Sunday morning. 

A firefighter, who was accompanying the officers, got out the way when the shootout started and hid inside another apartment until he was rescued by a SWAT team, Nisleit said.

It was unclear whether the suspect died by police fire or a self-inflicted injury because officers have not been able to enter the unit, the chief said.

He didn’t specify how officers confirmed the suspect was dead.

When the officers were injured in the shooting, the San Diego Police Department requested assistance from all law enforcement agencies in the county, including the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, National City and Carlsbad police departments.

Rolando residents were asked to shelter in place during the incident. Some from a few blocks away said they could hear five to six shots echo through the neighborhood. 

Residents of Tuscany Place were evacuated, though some chose to shelter in place, as officers assessed the scene, Nisleit said. All evacuated residents were allowed back in their homes as of 2 a.m.

Officers will be at the scene for the rest of the day and maybe into Sunday night.

Two homicide teams will coordinate on the investigation: One team will focus on processing the scene while the other team will take witness statements. 

This story is developing. Refresh the page for updates.

Photo Credit: Diana Cody/@deecodeee
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Source: NBC San Diego