Incident: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, shortly after 9 a.m., 4000 block of 30th Street, North Park, San Diego, California. Footage released by the San Diego Police Department in a critical incident video on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Shortly after 9 a.m., San Diego police officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a man vandalizing vehicles in the North Park area. Callers said he was using a metal object to break vehicle windows.
According to the department, he ran from officers and went into an adult store on 30th Street carrying an aerosol can and a torch lighter. Officers ordered him out for about five minutes and fired beanbag rounds.
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Officers then sent in K-9 Ryder. The man sprayed the dog with fire. As he stepped toward officers while directing the flame at them, an officer fired and struck him. Gunfire also struck the aerosol can and set off a fireball.
Officers pulled him out of the fire and gave aid. He died at a hospital. Three officers had minor burns to their hands. K-9 Ryder was burned and is back on duty.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the shooting.
The video above is the San Diego Police Department’s own critical incident video.
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