Bodycam Footage Reveals Police Response to Armed San Marcos Driver

Chilling bodycam footage reveals the intense moments when six police officers fired at a car passenger who brandished a gun and opened fire during a dramatic standoff in the San Diego vicinity.

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department made the footage public from the fatal incident on February 18 in San Marcos, where a 33-year-old man was shot and killed following what began as a standard traffic stop.

The video shows deputies repeatedly ordering Andre Raphael Mendez to drop his weapon as the situation escalates over several tense minutes.

Ignoring commands to disarm, Mendez remains in the vehicle as officers quickly extract the female driver.

Amidst the confusion, one officer aggressively shatters the passenger window with a baton while issuing commands.

The situation reaches a critical point when officers use a taser, prompting Mendez to lift his gun and fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire from the deputies.

The video includes footage from the six deputies at the scene as well as a bystander who recorded on their cellphone.

Before the shooting, a deputy with San Diego County Sheriff’s Office stopped the red Hyundai Sonata on for a broken taillight on North Twin Oaks Valley Road, according to NBC7.

Mendez gave the officer a fake name and a check of the vehicle suggested it could be stolen.

Mendez became uncooperative, rolling up his window an refusing to commands lower it. He then reached for a gun on the floorboard before the situation turned deadly.

Sheriffs Department personnel gave life-saving aid to Mendez at the scene, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

No other injuries were reported.

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