Footage Shows Trespassing Suspect Using Drugs, Ignoring Orders Before Fatal Shooting by Deputies
By: The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday released video of a fatal shooting involving seven deputies who opened fire on an allegedly armed man in Spring Valley.
The video shows the suspect, Victor Rendon Jr., go into the backyard of a Leland Street home, where he appears to take narcotics. Two gunshots can be heard from the yard, sending approaching deputies scrambling.
Overhead footage from sheriff’s helicopters shows the residence, while Rendon, 34, can be seen going inside and throwing objects into the front yard. Later, he steps outside and walks back into the home, still ignoring orders and attempts to communicate with him.
But he walks out again almost immediately and points a gun at deputies, positioned behind patrol cars at the end of the home’s driveway and along the street. They open fire, and he falls back into the house.
Other footage from body-worn cameras shows deputies entering the home after the shooting and a closeup of the handgun allegedly used by Rendon.
The deputies who fired on the suspect are from the Lemon Grove, Rancho San Diego and San Marcos stations, along with a K-9 officer.
After the shooting, Rendon was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured.
The incident began with a trespassing complaint from a woman at around 3:20 p.m. on Nov. 15, according to the sheriff’s office. She said that her ex-boyfriend had entered her house through the back door, armed with a gun and acting erratically, according to authorities.
Portions of the 911 call are with the woman explaining to the dispatcher that law enforcement had been called to her home before, apparently due to Rendon. She had been urged to seek a restraining order, she said.
“He’s not trying to hurt me, ma’am,” the caller said. “But I don’t feel safe with him here.”