On February 21, 2025, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl released body-worn camera footage related to an officer-involved shooting at the Santa Fe Depot that occurred on January 28, 2025. This incident followed another shooting just 15 days prior, on January 13, 2025, when SDPD officers were involved in a separate incident at an apartment complex located at 1100 E Street, involving a suicidal individual. Chief Wahl also released footage from that incident. Similar to his predecessor, David Nisleit, Chief Wahl appears to selectively release body-worn camera footage that portrays the department favorably. However, the videos released from both incidents raise serious concerns, as they reveal potential violations of both the law and departmental policies.
Under California law, specifically Penal Code §835a, police officers are permitted to use deadly force only when necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. Additionally, AB 392, a California law enacted in recent years, has significantly tightened the standards for the use of deadly force. The law now requires that deadly force be used only when “reasonably necessary” to counter an imminent threat of death or serious injury. It also mandates a “totality of circumstances” review and emphasizes de-escalation techniques before resorting to lethal action.
The SDPD’s Use of Force Policy 1.04 underscores the department’s commitment to valuing human life as its highest priority. The policy states that officers are trained to perform their duties with integrity, fairness, and good judgment, using force only when reasonable to protect themselves or others. It also emphasizes the importance of de-escalation tactics, communication, and the use of available resources to minimize the need for force. However, the recent incidents call into question whether these principles are being consistently applied in practice.
The most recent officer-involved shooting at the Santa Fe Depot was captured on surveillance cameras and an officer’s body-worn camera. The footage shows a confrontation between two groups of juveniles, during which one juvenile produced a firearm and began shooting at the others. As the groups fled the scene, SDPD officers, who were investigating another call nearby, responded to the gunfire. One of the juveniles, fleeing the scene, ran past an officer and was immediately shot and killed.
The body-worn camera footage does not support the officer’s use of deadly force, as the juvenile did not pose an imminent threat to the officer or anyone else at the time of the shooting. AB 392 explicitly requires that deadly force be used only when “necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury,” and courts must consider the officer’s conduct leading up to the use of force. In this case, the juvenile was unarmed at the time of the shooting, holding only a cell phone, which is not a deadly weapon. The fact that a firearm was later discovered in the juvenile’s possession does not justify the shooting, as the officer was unaware of it and the juvenile never threatened the officer with it. The critical question remains: Will Chief Scott Wahl hold the officer accountable for this shooting, or will he continue the pattern of condoning questionable uses of force, as seen under his predecessor?
BWC Release Link:
The second incident involved a mentally ill man threatening to harm himself with a knife inside his 16th-floor apartment. SDPD officers evacuated the building but chose to enter the apartment with weapons drawn rather than staging outside and developing a de-escalation plan. This decision escalated the situation, resulting in a “suicide by cop” scenario. The law does not permit the use of deadly force against individuals threatening only themselves. Moreover, one of the officers involved was firing blindly around a corner, striking the man after he was already down. Chief Wahl released this footage quickly, seemingly to garner public sympathy, but the video reveals poor tactics and judgment by the officers involved. This incident highlights a pattern of incompetence within the SDPD, exacerbated by leadership that prioritizes public relations over accountability.
BWC Release Link:
This pattern of behavior is not new. Under former Chief David Nisleit, the department often grandstanded after incidents of questionable conduct. For example, Sergeant Anthony Elliott’s poor decision-making during a 2023 incident at a grocery store nearly cost him and his officers their lives. Despite his incompetence, Elliott was portrayed as a hero, receiving media attention and financial donations, while the officers who saved his life were overlooked. Similarly, the department has yet to release body-worn camera footage from the Marcus Evans incident, likely because it would expose further misconduct, particularly by Sergeant Alan Dyemartin
Youtube Link(SDPD fails to relese use of force BWC) Link:
In both recent incidents, Chief Wahl’s actions suggest a continuation of the same problematic culture that prioritizes image over accountability. The release of selective footage, coupled with a lack of transparency in other cases, undermines public trust and raises serious questions about the department’s commitment to justice and reform. Until the SDPD addresses these systemic issues and holds its officers to the highest standards, such incidents will continue to erode community confidence in law enforcement.
Formal Complaints for 1-28-25 OIS incident
1-13-25 OIS incident
PRA Request for Marcus Evans BWC release and release of officers names involved. Complaint against SDPD Captain ho approves and oversees records release in SDPD for failure to comply with laws regarding the release of records.
-Tasha Williamson
