On September 28, 2021, just before 12:30 p.m., a man was parked behind a vacant building in the 1500 block of North Santa Fe Avenue in the city of Vista. Twenty-year-old Omar Rojas approached the man acting bizarrely.
During this exchange, Rojas produced a knife. The man locked himself in his vehicle and called 9-1-1. Rojas slashed two of the man’s tires. When Sheriff’s deputies arrived, Rojas fled into a residential neighborhood.
Vista DIS Weapon
Bystanders directed the deputies to the backyard of a residence on the 1500 block of Kiva Lane. Deputies found the suspect in the backyard. Deputies tried to deescalate the situation, but Rojas armed himself with what deputies believed to be a rifle. During the confrontation, one deputy discharged his firearm striking Rojas.
The deputies quickly secured Rojas so fire personnel could provide medical aid. Rojas was transported by ambulance to a local area hospital for treatment. Rojas suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit responded and assumed responsibility for the investigation. The circumstances of the shooting are currently under investigation. Rojas was arrested for 245(c) PC – Assault with a Deadly Weapon Upon a Peace Officer and 594(b)(2) PC – Felony Vandalism. Rojas remains in Sheriff’s custody at the hospital.
No deputies were injured. The initial reporting party and the people who live at the residence do not know the suspect. The people who live at the residence were not home at the time of the shooting. The pellet rifle Rojas armed himself with belonged to the residents and was kept in the backyard.
A pellet rifle and two knives were located at the scene where the suspect was shot.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
Prepared by: Thomas Seiver, Lieutenant
Sheriff’s Homicide Unit (858) 285- 6330
