By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–Authorities have released the identity of the man fatally shot by police during an officer-involved incident earlier this month. The deceased has been identified as 20-year-old Kevin Garcia Gonzalez, a San Diego resident.
The shooting occurred on the morning of April 4 in the 300 block of 31st Street and K Street. A witness flagged down a San Diego police sergeant, reporting that a Hispanic man seated inside a blue Ford Fusion had pointed what appeared to be a black revolver at another person.
The sergeant relayed the information over police radio, prompting multiple officers to respond. Upon arrival, officers located the vehicle with Gonzalez and a female passenger inside. They safely removed the woman, but Gonzalez allegedly refused to comply with officers’ commands.
Given the nature of the threat, specialized units including SWAT, K-9 teams, and officers equipped with less-lethal tools were called in. Officers negotiated with Gonzalez for about 40 minutes. Around 10:50 a.m., authorities say Gonzalez pointed what appeared to be a black revolver at officers through the driver’s side window. In response, five officers and a sergeant fired multiple shots.
Gonzalez was removed from the vehicle and officers administered life-saving efforts. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Investigators later recovered a BB gun resembling an accurate revolver from the vehicle. No officers were injured during the incident.
The officers who discharged their weapons have been identified as Officer Michael Hagen, 5 years with SDPD, Central Division, Officer Diego Arellanes, 7 years, Central Division, Officer Ruben Berton, 8 years, Southern Division, SWAT team member, Acting Sergeant Zane Sisneros, 10 years, Central Division, Officer Fernando Fernandez, 7 years, Southeastern Division, SWAT team member, and Sergeant Edward Laurendeau, 17 years, K-9 Unit
Per the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Homicide Unit is leading the investigation into the shooting. Detectives are currently reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining the sequence of events that led to the deadly encounter.
Once the investigation concludes, the case will be submitted to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether the officers involved acted lawfully. Additionally, the San Diego Police Department will conduct its internal administrative review of the officers’ use of force.
