By Gina Yarbrough
San Diego, CA–The San Diego Police Department has identified the officer involved in the shooting of a woman’s ex-boyfriend, who allegedly kidnapped their 11-month-old daughter.
The officer, Robert Gladysz has been employed by the San Diego Police Department for one and a half years. He is currently assigned as a patrol officer from the Southeastern Division.
On May 19, the San Diego Police Department received a call from a woman, in the 400 block of 47th Street, stating her ex-boyfriend was at her front door, threatening to shoot through the door if she did not let him in. Fearing he would shoot into her apartment, she let him in. Once inside, the man pointed his gun and threatened to shoot her. He then grabbed their 11-month-old daughter and walked out of the apartment.
Officers arrived at the location as the man was walking out of the apartment. When he saw the officer, he fled on foot. The man ran through the apartment complex, through the trolley tracks, across the trolley station parking lot, and into another complex in the 200 block of 47th Street.
During a routine check of an apartment complex, an officer discovered a man hiding in a bush, leading to an officer-involved shooting. The man was hit at least once and received immediate life-saving aid from officers until paramedics took over. He was taken to a nearby hospital, underwent surgery, and is expected to recover. Authorities are withholding his identity. Officers later revealed that the man was holding his daughter during the incident. The child was unharmed and has been reunited with her family.
The man has been identified as 29-year-old Steffon Nutall of San Diego. Nutall was arrested for kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, exhibiting a firearm in a threatening manner, and willful cruelty to a child with the potential for great bodily injury or death. Any additional charges will be evaluated by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
Per the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Unit was called to the scene to conduct the officer-involved shooting investigation.
When the homicide unit completes its investigation, it will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the officers bear any criminal liability for their actions. The San Diego Police Department will conduct an administrative investigation into the officer’s discharge of his firearm.
