As you may have seen, several streets in Rancho Santa FE are closed today (Saturday December 3, 2016). These include Paseo Delicias from Avenida De Acacias to La Granada and El Tordo from Avenida De Acacias to La Granada. They may be closed most of the day as the Sheriff process the scene. Below is preliminary information on what occurred early this morning. For further information, please contact the Sheriff's Department.
The following information is fragmentary and has not been completely verified. It is
based, in part, on hearsay and is intended for early information use rather than being a
formal investigative report.
On December 3 shortly before 5:30 a.m. deputies from the Sheriff's North Coastal Station
responded to a report of a person yelling and the sounds of items breaking in front of 6012
Paseo Delicias in the community of Rancho Santa Fe. When deputies arrived a few minutes
later, they were confronted by a white male adult approximately 50 to 55 years of age, who was
standing in front of one of the apartments at that address and brandishing a knife. The suspect
yelled at deputies that he was going to stab them. In an attempt to take the suspect into custody
with the minimum amount of force, deputies launched pepper balls at the suspect and deployed
Sheriff's K-9 "Banjer." However, the pepper balls had no effect and suspect stabbed "Banjer"
under the left eye. Deputies recovered "Banjer" and he was rushed to a local animal hospital for
emergency surgery.
The suspect then broke into a nearby apartment where he confronted the resident and held them
at knife point for a short time. The resident was able to break free of the suspect and run into the
bathroom and lock the door. The suspect then yelled to deputies who were outside, that he had
just "slit the throat" of the victim. As deputies prepared to enter the apartment to rescue the
victim, the suspect stepped outside and again confronted the deputies with the knife. One of the
deputies fired approximately four times, striking the suspect in the torso.
Deputies took the
suspect into custody and began to render first aid until paramedics could arrive. The suspect
was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his wounds. His condition is unknown at this
time and his identity has not yet been confirmed. The resident of the apartment was found
unhurt, inside the bathroom.
"Banjer's" surgery went well. He is now resting comfortably and is expected to make a full
recovery.
Investigators from the Sheriff's Homicide Detail and the Sheriff's North Coastal Station are on
scene and will be conducting a full and thorough investigation of the incident.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-
2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200.
