VISTA—A 24-year-old documented gang member fatally shot by a Sheriff’s deputy during an altercation in a Vista neighborhood Wednesday was identified Thursday by the San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office.
The suspect has been identified as Vista resident Jonathon Coronel. The cause of death was due to multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death has been ruled a homicide.
Deputies from the Gang Enforcement Detail were in the area of 300 North Melrose Drive, just after 10 a.m., when they saw a person they recognized as a documented gang member who had an active felony warrant for his arrest. The suspect was riding as a passenger in a green Buick, but before deputies could enact a traffic stop, the Buick stopped and the suspect fled on foot. The suspect ran east, jumping over fences and running through private yards and properties. Deputies who were chasing the suspect lost sight of him for a short time and began to establish a perimeter of the area in order to conduct a search. However, a short time later, a deputy saw the suspect jump a fence into the yard of a home in the 200 block of Knoll Road. The deputy gave chase and entered the yard. There was a confrontation between the deputy and the suspect, which resulted in the deputy firing his weapon multiple times, striking the suspect. Responding deputies began first aid and CPR but the suspect died of his injuries at the scene.
The case is being investigated by detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail and the Vista Sheriff’s Station.
