Police were on the scene late Tuesday afternoon of a reported officer-involved shooting at a shopping center in El Cajon, California.
Police opened fire on a seemingly irrational man who allegedly failed to comply with their commands, sending him to a hospital and prompting accusations that the gunfire was racially motivated. The man later died of his injuries.
The unidentified man failed to follow the patrol personnel's directives, leading to a confrontation that ended in gunfire, Lt. Rob Ransweiler told reporters. Bystanders reported hearing about five shots.
Maria Medina, an employee of a nearby restaurant, said they shut down the restaurant because the shooting happened near their drive-through and employees were waiting inside while police are outside. She said one of her co-workers was being questioned by police and had turned over a cell phone.
A witness said the person who was shot by police was having a seizure.
El Cajon is located 15 miles east of San Diego.
An employee at a nearby hair salon inside the shopping center said they heard gunfire and ran outside to see what had happened. "I heard three gunshots - there was a black man on the ground and two officers standing around him."
Police have not yet briefed the media on the incident.
