PAUMA VALLEY–The Sheriff’s Department released the names of the three deputies who were shot at while responding to call to a Pauma Valley residence.
The deputies who were shot at by Jose Nieto in Pauma Valley are Cory Crawford, Jared Muli and John Avedesian. Deputy Crawford is assigned to the San Marcos Sheriff’s Station and has been a deputy since 2012. Deputy Muli is assigned to the Valley Center Sheriff’s Substation and has been a deputy since 2005. Deputy Avedesian is assigned to the Poway Sheriff’s Station and has been a deputy since 2017.
Jose Nieto, a 28-year-old Pauma Valley man was arrested for three counts of attempted murder of a peace officer and three counts of assault of a peace officer with a firearm. He was booked and is being held without bail, under guard at a local hospital.
On December 20, deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call from a man who said he needed help and didn’t feel safe in his home. As the deputies approached the front door, they were met by gunfire from within the home. All three deputies returned fire, established a perimeter around the home and called for additional resources, including the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail (SED). After attempts to establish communication with the male were unsuccessful, SED deputies entered the home and found a male inside with an apparent gunshot wound to his lower body.
The man was taken into custody for the attempted murder of a peace officer and transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. The deputies were not injured.