Statement by San Diego County District Attorney

“I understand the public’s desire to know more of the facts surrounding the March 15th officer-involved shooting in Oceanside. I share the desire to get to the truth. But until all those facts are in, we will not rush to judgment about the guilt or innocence of either party involved—and neither should the public. The District Attorney's Office is waiting for the Oceanside Police Department to complete its investigation. Once the case is turned over to our office, an independent decision on whether or not to file criminal charges will be based on the evidence and the law, not public opinion. I acknowledge that it can be frustrating to wait for the investigative process to run its course.”
“I’m not going to address questions regarding the handling of the incident or the subsequent investigation by the Oceanside Police Department. They are responsible for their own decisions and policies. However, we have a legal and ethical duty not to release any information that could jeopardize a potential prosecution. That’s why we don’t discuss ongoing investigations. The testimony of witnesses not yet interviewed could be tainted by publicly releasing facts. We must protect the rights of the individuals. I can assure you we will balance that duty with public’s right to know.”
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