Officer Involved Shooting

On December 26, 2021, a homicide occurred in Vista, California, which is being investigated by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Department released a wanted person bulletin for homicide suspect Roberto Salgado, a 39-year-old resident of Ramona. Included in the bulletin was a description of the vehicle Salgado was driving, a 2018 Chevy Silverado. At 11:19 p.m., an Escondido Police Officer spotted the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. Salgado was driving the truck and failed to yield, leading police on a lengthy pursuit for several hours. The truck was also occupied by a female passenger. The pursuit route included driving to interstate 5 freeway before returning to Escondido.
Police used spike strips to reduce speeds of the truck and attempt to safely end the pursuit. Three of the four tires were deflated but the vehicle continued at slow speeds. During the pursuit it was learned that the suspect’s vehicle was equipped with OnStar, and they were able to remotely disable the truck in the area of Mission Avenue and Gamble Street in Escondido.
When the truck stopped, Salgado exited and there was an exchange of gunfire between him and two Escondido Police Officers. The suspect was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at an area hospital. One Escondido Police Officer who fired his weapon was shot by the suspect. He was treated at Palomar Medical Center for a gunshot wound to the left side of his chest and released. The female passenger was not injured This investigation is on-going, and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Pat Hall 760-839-4705.
police.escondido.org