[chris]

On February 18, 2026, a San Diego County Sheriff's deputy stopped a car in San Marcos. The deputy told the driver he stopped her because the third brake light was out and the license plate returned to a different car. The driver said she was from New Mexico, had recently bought the car, needed to transfer the registration, and had insurance.

After asking the driver about the car, the deputy asked the passenger for identification.

Moments later, the deputy told the passenger to stop reaching and show his hands. The deputy called out that the passenger had a gun, and officers ordered him to take his hand off it and drop it. Officers also discussed breaking a window, and one warned he would use a Taser.

Shots were then fired. Officers continued ordering the passenger to show his hands and drop the gun. San Diego Police are investigating the shooting, with review or monitoring by the District Attorney's Office, CLERB, the FBI, and the United States Attorney's Office.