By Gina Yarbrough
Carlsbad, CA–A Carlsbad Police officer was hit in the head with a skateboard while he inspected his patrol car for damages after a rock struck his windshield and spotlight, the San Diego Police Department said Saturday.
According to San Diego Police, around 11:15 p.m. the officer was driving west in a marked patrol car in the 1000 block of Carlsbad Village Drive underneath the Interstate-5 freeway when a rock struck the spotlight and front windshield of his patrol car. The impact from the rock strike destroyed the spotlight and damaged the windshield. The officer called for a supervisor and pulled into a nearby parking lot to inspect the damage. As the officer and supervisor were inspecting the damage to his patrol car, a White male ran up behind the officer and without warning or provocation, assaulted the officer by striking him in the head with a skateboard. The officer took out his service weapon, and as he sought cover from a nearby business, discharged his firearm three times at the suspect as he ran west through the parking lot. Simultaneously, the sergeant chased the suspect on foot west on Carlsbad Village Drive. Additional officers arrived in the area and after approximately three blocks, the suspect was taken into custody without incident. The suspect was not struck by gunfire and there are no injuries to any bystanders.
The officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. His condition is unknown at this time.
The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Kyle McCord of San Diego was booked into Vista Jail for attempted murder of a police officer and committing a felony while on bond or release. Additional charges will be determined by the District Attorney’s office once detectives have completed their preliminary investigation.
Detectives from the San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit are currently investigating the incident. The skateboard used in the assault of the officer was recovered at the scene. Detectives are investigating whether the rock that struck the patrol car in the incident was an accident or an intentional act carried out by the suspect or another person.
The officer was not engaged in enforcement activities when his vehicle was struck, authorities said.
He has been employed by the Carlsbad Police Department since September 2022. He is currently assigned as a patrol officer and has a total of 8 years of law enforcement experience with the department and another law enforcement agency.
Per the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, the San Diego Police Homicide Unit was called to the scene to conduct the officer-involved shooting investigation. Detectives are currently collecting physical evidence from the scene, interviewing witnesses, and examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting, San Diego Police said in a news release.
The investigation and review process for officer-involved shootings are extremely thorough. When the Homicide Unit completes its investigation, it will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the officer bears any criminal liability for his actions.
The Carlsbad Police Department will conduct an administrative investigation into the officer’s discharge of his firearm. The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Attorney’s Office will also be monitoring the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
