UPDATE: A dramatic confrontation in Escondido ended with police officers shooting a 54-year-old man, identified as Juan Ramos, who allegedly wielded a knife during a chaotic scene. The incident unfolded around 12:10 p.m. on July 12, 2023, as officers responded to reports of a man behaving erratically at a busy intersection on South Centre City Parkway near Felicita Avenue.
According to the San Diego Police Department, Ramos approached drivers while armed with a knife, creating significant traffic hazards and raising safety concerns. Officers Timothy Mills and Robert Bellamy, along with detective Jeffery Bolton, quickly identified Ramos and attempted to de-escalate the situation by instructing him to drop the weapon.
In a shocking turn of events, Ramos ignored the officers’ commands and charged toward Detective Bolton with the knife, prompting all three officers to discharge their weapons. The initial shots struck Ramos, but he remarkably got back on his feet and continued toward the uniformed officers with the knife still in hand. This prompted a second round of gunfire from the officers, hitting him again and causing him to fall.
Despite the injuries, Ramos continued to hold the knife, making it impossible for the officers to secure him. Authorities reported that during the confrontation, Ramos expressed a desire for the officers to shoot him. In an effort to subdue him, police deployed sponge rounds, eventually allowing one officer to disarm him.
Emergency medical personnel from the Escondido Fire Department transported Ramos to Palomar Medical Center, where he is expected to survive his injuries. He now faces charges for allegedly assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon.
The officers involved have varied lengths of service, with Mills having joined the department about eight months ago, while Bellamy has served for 17 years, and Bolton for three years. Notably, the uniformed officers were equipped with body-worn cameras that recorded the incident, providing crucial evidence for the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information regarding this incident to contact the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or reach out to San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. This incident highlights the dangers faced by law enforcement and the urgent need for community support in addressing mental health crises.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
