In a tragic incident, the San Joaquin County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the man who was shot and killed by deputies earlier this week after allegedly stabbing a K-9 dog.
The deceased has been identified as David Mitchell Jr., aged 48, and a resident of Stockton. The unfortunate incident occurred near the Shadow Lake mobile home park, close to state Highway 99 and East Frontage Road.
According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, the deputies encountered what they deemed to be a "suspicious" vehicle in the area at approximately 5 a.m. Upon making contact with the driver, they discovered that Mitchell had a felony warrant for his arrest. Despite their attempts to peacefully apprehend him, Mitchell allegedly refused to exit the vehicle.
Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office, explained that deputies diligently attempted non-lethal means, including dialogue and negotiation, during the course of approximately an hour. However, the situation escalated when Mitchell exited the vehicle with a knife in his hand and allegedly stabbed the K-9 dog.
In response to this threat, deputies were compelled to open fire. The K-9 dog, while injured, is expected to recover.
Brent emphasized that the use of K-9s is considered one of the last resorts when dealing with barricaded individuals and that deputies exhaust all non-lethal options before resorting to such measures.
The incident left the scene cordoned off for several hours as detectives and investigators worked diligently. Family members who claimed to be relatives of the deceased anxiously awaited answers behind yellow caution tape. One woman, who identified herself as the mother of the deceased, was visibly distraught.
Sheriff's officials, however, could not confirm the presence of any family members at the scene, underscoring the ongoing nature of the investigation.
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by law enforcement officers in high-stress situations and the difficult decisions they sometimes must make.
