By Gina Yarbrough
San Diego, CA–The identities of three San Diego Police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a robbery suspect on May 20 have been released.
The officers identified are Matthew Steinbach, Michael Howells, and Justin Tellam. Officer Steinbach has been employed by the San Diego Police Department for twelve years. Officer Howells has been employed for one and a half years. Both officers are assigned to the San Diego Police Department Western Division. Officer Tellam has been employed for six and a half years. He is assigned to the San Diego Police Department Neighborhood Policing Team.
The San Diego Police Department received a call from a market in the 1000 block of Moreno Blvd. regarding a robbery and assault with a deadly weapon at 10:39 a.m.
The victim stated a black male, in his 20s, selected merchandise from the store, walked up to the counter, and asked the victim if the store accepted credit cards. The victim stated they did and began to walk behind the counter to complete the sale. The suspect proceeded to walk out of the store, without any attempt to pay for the merchandise. The victim attempted to stop the suspect when the suspect pulled out a knife and threatened the victim. The suspect then fled the scene on foot.
An officer at the market obtained a physical and clothing description of the suspect and broadcasted the suspect’s description over his radio to other responding officers.
Officers observed a male, who matched the description of the suspect and was still carrying a knife, in the 5300 block of Napa Street. Officers attempted to detain the suspect, but he failed to comply with commands. Officers used a Taser device on the man without success, and he fled on foot. Officers pursued the man to a transient encampment in the 5300 block of Friars Road where the man confronted an uninvolved male, and held him hostage by holding a knife to the victim’s neck. Three officers fired at the man, striking him. Officers immediately began life-saving measures until relieved by paramedics. The man succumbed to his injuries on the scene. The hostage was not injured in the incident. The suspect has been identified but investigators are withholding his name pending notification of his next of kin. No officers were injured in the incident.
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. The motivation and circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation. Detectives are gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
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.
