Authorities Thursday released video images of the non-fatal shooting by three San Diego Harbor Police personnel of a man who allegedly threatened them with a gun outside their bayside headquarters last week.
SDHP Lt. Victor Banuelos, Sgt. Scott Ferraioli and Officer James Macmaster fired on Eric Jesus Medina, 29, as he allegedly pointed a handgun in their direction in front of their precinct house in the 3300 block of North Harbor Drive early on the afternoon of April 10, according to the Port of San Diego, which operates the bay-patrol agency.
Video cameras mounted outside and inside the building and one worn by Macmaster captured audiovisual footage of the shooting, during which the officers discharged about three dozen rounds. Macmaster and Ferraioli each reloaded their service firearms during the melee.
It remains unclear if Medina returned fire, though investigators found a live round in the chamber of his gun and an expended cartridge in its barrel, according to port officials.
The events that led to the barrage of gunfire began about 1:30 p.m., when Medina parked in front of the headquarters building, walked up to its front entryway and used a public call box on its facade to request assistance from a dispatcher. When the emergency operator asked Medina what kind of help he needed, the suspect did not respond.
In response to the call, Macmaster went outside and found Medina sitting in his gray Honda Civic, which he had moved a short distance to a spot directly in front of the entrance to the police station.
When Macmaster called to him and asked if he needed to talk to an officer, Medina said he did. He then allegedly pointed a black pistol at Macmaster through his open driver's-side window, prompting the lawman to retreat, take cover behind a pillar and radio his colleagues.
While awaiting backup, Macmaster shouted at the suspect to drop the weapon and put his hands up, at which point Medina allegedly pointed the pistol at him again.
Macmaster reacted by opening fire on Medina. Ferraioli then came outside and began shooting at the suspect, and Banuelos discharged his service firearm from inside the lobby of the building, according to Harbor Police officials.
Wounded by "several" gunshots, Medina dropped the weapon and was taken into custody, according to an SDHP statement.
Paramedics took the suspect to a trauma center, where he was admitted in critical condition.
Medina was arraigned in the hospital last week on charges of assault with a deadly weapon on peace officers. He has since been transferred to San Diego Central Jail, where he is being held without bail pending trial.
