Cop shoots brother to death during fight


BY SHARON CHEN

CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Chula Vista Police are investigating a shooting involving a San Diego Police officer who killed his own brother.
The incident occurred in the 300 block of Center Street just before 9:00 a.m. Friday.
“We got a call from neighbors saying someone was stabbed and there might have been a shooting,” said Lt. Fritz Reber, an investigator with the Chula Vista Police Department.
Police arrived to find a man who had been stabbed in the parking lot of Parkwoods Apartments.
“He told them he was an off-duty San Diego police officer,” Reber said. “We have also confirmed that information.”
The police officer then led Chula Vista Police to a second floor apartment where they found the suspect. He had been shot and killed.
“From what we understand there was an argument and some mental history with the suspect,” Reber said. “They were attempting to get him some help.”
The suspect was the officer’s brother. They both lived at the apartment with their parents.
“There was a conflict between the suspect and the mother, and the victim stepped in,” Reber said. “The suspect armed himself with knives and stabbed the off-duty officer and was subsequently shot and killed.”
The officer was taken to UC San Diego Medical Center with four stab wounds.  The brother died at the scene.
“We’re not releasing any other information at this time,” Reber said.
“All I heard was commotion and then a lot of police officers walking around,” said Robert Ledesma, a neighbor.
Ledesma lives upstairs from the family.
“Very nice family,” Ledesma said. “I’ve known them for about 10 years.”
He said as long as he’s known them, there has never been any problems, even with the brother.
“The boy who was shot usually walks his dog around,” Ledesma said.  “As far as I was concerned, he was a nice guy.”
The San Diego Police officer will not face charges.  Investigators said he fired in self-defense and that the incident is nothing but a family tragedy.
“I’m really sorry.  I send all my condolences,” Ledesma said.  “It’s so sad it had to happen with a family like that. It’s a shame.”
Check back for updates on this developing story.