Knife vs. Gun

Eight to ten squad cars from the San Diego Police Department raced down Alabama Street in the minutes after 11 am on April 26. The police were responding to an incident at a residence on the 3400 block of Alabama and Upas, near Morley Field.

Three spectators interviewed independently said they'd heard that an officer-involved shooting had occurred, but as of 11:45 am, that story had not been verified, and the police officer guarding the perimeter said she could not share details of what had happened. One spectator pointed out that SDPD Chief William Lansdowne was on the scene, suggesting the incident was serious.

Larry Himmel of News 8 was present with a cameraman. Mr. Himmel said that he believed he had seen emergency services personnel bring someone out of the house on a stretcher and attempt to perform CPR.

Later, police confirmed that a 56-year-old man who had approached officers with a kitchen knife was shot by at least one police officer and had died. Police had originally come to the scene to evaluate the man's mental health.