A man was killed in a San Diego County Sheriff deputy involved shooting that happened about 3 p.m. Monday at the Summit at Alpine Apartment Homes in the 2660 Alpine Blvd., according to San Diego County Sheriff’s Lt. Michael Blevins.
“More than one deputy was involved in the shooting,” Blevins said.
The shooting victim was identified by family as Daniel Ayala, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The names of the deputies involved in the shooting have not been released.
Officials said they received calls about someone yelling he wanted to kill someone.
Deputies were dispatched to the complex and arrived at 2:58 p.m.
According to the department the deputies attempted to contact a subject in one of the apartments. A male subject in his 30s exited the apartment with a knife in his hand and advanced toward the deputies. Fearing for their own safety deputies fired at and struck the man.
When paramedics arrived they performed life saving measures, though Ayala would be pronounced deceased at approximately 3:19 p.m.
“I was working on my truck in back,” said Reynaldo Perez, owner of Salsa Mexican Food, a restaurant next door to the complex, “I started hearing sirens.”
The drive-way up to the complex was cordoned off to traffic. Some residents were allowed out but as of mid-evening residents were not allowed in.
Residents arriving after work were just finding about the shooting as they pulled-up or had gotten a call from a relative or friend.
“My daughter called me and asked if I was OK, because she heard there was a shooting by the Pizza Hut. I got another text from a friend “ ‘Hey what’s going on? There was a cop shooting in Alpine,’ ” said Summit at Alpine resident Tim Denton Sr.
“I’ve been here a year and a couple months,” he said. “It’s super good. No issues. Two-or three-times cops came here, about 5-6 months ago.”
Denton was waiting outside near the complex’s driveway with his 10-year-old-son. He noted he received a text that his work van was on the news, shown in an aerial shot of the complex’s parking lot.
“My wife Vanessa called and said something happened,” said resident David Hernandez as he waited to return to his home.
Other residents, barred from entering the drive way, ate in surrounding restaurants or mingled near-by.
SDSO volunteer chaplain Keith Acker, with the Blessed Trinity Anglican Church in El Cajon, was on hand to meet with those who needed religious comfort.
Denton noted he was allowed to walk to his apartment in the east side of the complex, shortly after 8 p.m.
