UPDATE: Escondido police have identified the man shot during a tense confrontation last week. 54-year-old Juan Ramos was wielding a knife when officers responded to emergency calls at approximately 12:10 p.m. on October 25, 2023, near South Centre City Parkway and Felicita Avenue.
Authorities report that Ramos was behaving erratically and approached motorists with a knife, raising significant public safety concerns. Officers from the Escondido Police Department (EPD) quickly arrived and located him at the intersection of South Centre City Parkway and 13th Street.
Despite multiple commands to drop the weapon, Ramos charged at the officers, prompting them to discharge their weapons. According to a statement from the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), “The man fell to the ground, immediately got back up and ran toward the uniformed officers with the knife in his hand.” This second advance led to another round of gunfire from the officers, striking Ramos again.
During the chaotic encounter, Ramos allegedly expressed a desire for the officers to shoot him. The EPD deployed sponge rounds to subdue him, ultimately allowing one officer to wrest the knife from his grasp. Paramedics transported Ramos to Palomar Medical Center, where he is expected to survive his injuries.
The officers involved in the shooting are identified as Timothy Mills, who has served with the EPD for eight months, and Robert Bellamy, a veteran officer with 17 years on the force. Detective Jeffery Bolton has been with the department for three years. All officers were equipped with body-worn cameras, which recorded the incident.
Ramos now faces charges for allegedly assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon. Authorities are appealing to the public for any additional information about the incident, urging witnesses to contact the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
This developing story highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in managing volatile situations. Further updates are anticipated as the investigation continues.
