SAN DIEGO – Harbor Police officers on Sunday shot a man who requested assistance from a callbox in front of their headquarters and then pointed a handgun at officers attempting to help him, authorities said.

The 29-year-old man, who was not publicly identified, was hospitalized in critical condition after the shooting that happened about 1:30 p.m. outside of the department’s headquarters at 3380 North Harbor Dr., San Diego police Lt. Jud Campbell said.

According to Campbell, a Harbor Police officer exited the building to contact the caller when the officer spotted a gray Honda Civic in the parking lot with the man inside. The officer then approached the car, at which point the man reportedly brandished a handgun and pointed it at the officer.

That action prompted the officer to retreat behind a building pillar and call for assistance, Campbell said.

Police say the man continued to point his handgun at the officer and others who responded, resulting in him drawing gunfire. In total, three police officials — the first responding officer, a sergeant and a lieutenant — fired their service weapons at the armed man in the vehicle.

The man then dropped his firearm and was arrested without incident, Campbell said. No other injuries were reported from the shooting.

The agency did not release the identities of the Harbor Police officials involved in the shooting. All three are assigned to patrol, according to Campbell. Of the three involved:

  • The first officer has been with Harbor Police for seven years;
  • The sergeant is a 22-year department veteran; and
  • The lieutenant has been employed for approximately 24 years.

The investigation is being conducted by San Diego police’s Homicide Unit with assistance from Harbor Police. The results of their investigation will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office were said to be monitoring the investigation.

Those with information to assist investigators were asked to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.