A burglary call turned into a SWAT callout. After gunshots inside the house, a man came out the front door holding a firearm.
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 · 2700 block of Nipoma Street, Point Loma, San Diego · San Diego Police Department
The San Diego Police Department released this critical incident video, body camera and drone, on Friday, October 2. Officer names shown in the department’s video have been blurred.
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According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating, San Diego police were sent to a check-the-welfare call at about 4:40 p.m. that was later updated to a residential burglary in progress. The homeowner told officers there were firearms inside and that no one had permission to be in the house. The SDPD SWAT team responded.
SDPD’s video says SWAT officers used a loudspeaker to tell him to come out with his hands up, and he did not respond. While officers were trying to make contact, multiple gunshots were heard inside the residence. SDPD says that after about three minutes of him firing rounds inside the home, he came out through the front door with a firearm in his hand, and three officers, positioned behind an armored vehicle, fired. The Sheriff’s Office puts that at about 9:20 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene at about 9:40 p.m. A firearm was found next to him.
The video includes SDPD drone footage from inside the house. SDPD notes the drone does not record sound.
The Sheriff’s Office identified him as Erik Simon Sanders, 24, of Alpine. No San Diego police officers were injured.
Case status: The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit is investigating and will send the case to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to review criminal liability. SDPD is running its own administrative review. No ruling has been announced.
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