SAN DIEGO–A Torrey Pines High School student was fatally shot by San Diego police officers after he pointed a gun at them at a school parking lot early Saturday morning,
San Diego police department communications center Saturday received a 9-1-1 call requesting police officers check on the welfare of a 15-year-old male standing in front of Torrey Pines High School. The caller stated the male was unarmed.
Upon arriving at the school, the first two police officers located the teen in the front parking lot of the school. As officers got out of their patrol cars to contact the teen, he pulled a handgun that was concealed in his waistband and pointed it at one of the officers. Both officers drew their weapons while repeatedly giving the teen commands to drop his handgun. He refused to comply, according to authorities.
The officers fired their weapons at the teen striking him numerous times. Both officers immediately began rendering first aid and called paramedics. The teen was transported to Scripps La Jolla Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The preliminary investigation indicates the teen was the original caller to the police communications center. His handgun is a semi-automatic BB air pistol.
His name will not be released due to his age.
San Dieguito Union High School District Superintendent Eric Dill released a statement on Facebook:
Dear SDUHSD families,
At the San Dieguito Union High School District, one of our key priorities is to provide a safe and secure learning environment for students. I also believe in communicating openly with our school community about incidents that occur on or near our school campuses.
You may have heard that there was an officer-involved shooting in a parking lot at Torrey Pines High School in the early hours of this morning. I am saddened to report that the 15-year-old boy who was killed was a student at our school. Law enforcement has not released the name of the young man, but our hearts go out to the student, his family, and his friends.
The details of the situation are still unfolding, but whatever they are, this event is very traumatic for our students, staff, families, and community. A crisis response team will be on the TPHS campus on Monday to support students, staff, and parents as needed.
I know this is difficult, but we ask that you please refrain from conjecture or spreading rumors. This is a difficult time for the family and we need to let them mourn. Again, if you need to talk to someone about this or just need a place to go to mourn and process this tragedy, counseling services will be available at all of our schools on Monday for anyone who feels they need it.
As a community, we have a shared responsibility to care for one another. Please rest assured that we will do everything possible to maintain our daily routine while supporting each other as we deal with this sad event.
Eric Dill SDUHSD Superintendent
