Fallbrook – On Saturday, May 4, 2024, at approximately 11:37 a.m., the San Diego Sheriff’s Department Communications Center received numerous calls from several citizens reporting a male brandishing a handgun while walking east along Mission Road (SR-76) at Old River Road in Bonsall. In addition, several of the reporting citizens reported the male was also armed with a knife and specifically described the handgun as a Glock style firearm.

Deputies were immediately dispatched and as they drove to the area, a request was made for assistance from a Canine Unit and a police helicopter. As deputies responded to the area, numerous additional citizens continued to call the Sheriff’s Department to report the male was armed with a handgun and was walking east along Mission Road (SR-76). As the first two patrol deputies arrived at the intersection of Mission Road (SR-76) and Via Montellano, they contacted the male who was still brandishing a knife in one hand and what appeared to be a Glock style firearm in his other hand. The deputies gave the male numerous commands to drop the weapons he was holding as they waited for additional resources to arrive. However, the male refused to drop the weapons he was brandishing, and a deputy involved shooting occurred.

Both deputies fired their department issued handguns multiple times, striking the suspect in his legs and lower body. This incapacitated the suspect, and he dropped the weapons he was holding. The deputies were able to take the suspect into custody and immediately rendered first aid until paramedics arrived. The male was transported to a local hospital for treatment. At this
time, his injuries are considered non-life threatening. The two deputies involved in the shooting were not injured during this incident.

The suspect in this case has been identified as Patrick Wendell Lowell of Escondido. He is described as a 66-year-old white male. Lowell was arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer and an outstanding felony warrant.

The deputies involved in the shooting have been employed by San Diego Sheriff’s Department for three and five years, respectively. Both are currently assigned as patrol deputies from the Vista Patrol Station.

Per the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, the San Diego Police Homicide Unit was called to the scene to conduct the deputy-involved-shooting investigation. Detectives are currently gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The weapons the male was reported to have been brandishing were recovered at the scene.

The investigation and review process for deputy-involved shootings are extremely thorough. When the Homicide Unit completes its investigation, it will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the officers bear any criminal liability for their actions. The San Diego Sheriff’s Department will conduct an administrative investigation into the deputy’s discharge of his firearm. The Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) will conduct a review of the incident and provide any appropriate recommendations. The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Attorney’s Office will also be monitoring the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-
2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.