Man dies after being shot by sheriff's deputy in Imperial Beach

IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. (KGTV) — The Christmas Pow Wow by the Sea in Imperial Beach took a dark turn Sunday.

"I heard four gunshots north of me here," said Baron Partlow, who was working at the event. "I looked up the sidewalk and I saw the commotion, so I ran over there and there was a large crowd assembling."

According to the San Diego Police Department, San Diego County sheriff’s deputies were working the event when a man asked to speak with them.

"They were engaging with that individual. He produced a knife and started advancing on those deputies," said SDPD Lt. Lou Maggi.

Police said a deputy fired off several rounds, hitting the man at least one time.

"When I first arrived on the scene, he was still moving and breathing. And at some point they were administering constant CPR chest compression," said Partlow.

The man was taken to the hospital, where he died.

Authorities have not confirmed his identity just yet.

But multiple witnesses who recognized him, tell ABC 10News he was an unhoused man, well known to those who live there.

"RIP Gary" was written on the sidewalk.

SDPD officials stated, "San Diego Police Homicide Detectives were called to investigate per the countywide memorandum of understanding regarding officer-involved shootings. Officer-involved shooting investigations are extremely thorough, as is the review process. When SDPD Homicide completes its investigation, it will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the deputy bears any criminal liability for their actions."

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The San Diego Sheriff's Office is warning people to stay away from Evergreen Ave. and Seacoast Drive in Imperial Beach, as San Diego Police are investigating a deputy involved shooting. City News Service is reporting that one man is hospitalized, taken to the UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest.

They are warning of increased law enforcement activity in the area, but say there is no immediate danger to the public.

Witnesses tell 10News that the incident happened in the middle of Imperial Beach's "Powwow Festival," a family-friendly event, honoring Native Americans. They say they hear multiple gunshots just before 2:00 in the afternoon.

Witnesses also tell 10News that they believe the person shot was an unhoused man, well known in the area. San Diego Police, the investigating agency, has not yet released the name of the person shot. Multiple witnesses believe the person shot was brandishing a knife.

According to the Sheriff's online dispatch log, deputies were dispatched to the 1000 block of Ocean Lane at around 1:53 in the afternoon on Sunday to a call of a commercial burglary with an "audible alarm," but it is not clear if that caused the shooting or is related.

This is a developing story.