UPDATE: Escondido police have identified the officers involved in the shooting of a 54-year-old man allegedly wielding a knife. The incident occurred at approximately 12:10 p.m. on October 25, 2023, at a busy intersection on South Centre City Parkway near Felicita Avenue.
Authorities report that the man, identified as Juan Ramos, was acting erratically and approaching motorists, creating significant safety concerns. Officers from the Escondido Police Department responded quickly after receiving reports regarding Ramos’s threatening behavior.
According to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), officers Timothy Mills and Robert Bellamy, along with detective Jeffery Bolton, confronted Ramos and ordered him to drop the knife. “The man ignored the officers’ commands and ran toward the detective with the knife in his hand,” SDPD stated. This prompted all three officers to discharge their weapons, striking Ramos.
Despite being hit, Ramos managed to get back up and continued to advance toward the officers. This led to a second round of gunfire, again striking him. Throughout the confrontation, Ramos reportedly made comments indicating he wanted the officers to shoot him.
To subdue him, the officers deployed sponge rounds before one officer successfully forced the knife from Ramos’s grip. Paramedics from the Escondido Fire Department transported him to Palomar Medical Center, where he is expected to survive his injuries.
Both Mills and Bellamy are equipped with body-worn cameras that were activated during the incident, providing critical evidence for the ongoing investigation. Mills has been with the EPD for about eight months, while Bellamy has served for approximately 17 years. Detective Bolton has been with the department for about three years.
Ramos now faces charges for allegedly assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon. The situation has raised urgent questions about police response to mental health crises, as indicated by Ramos’s behavior during the confrontation.
Authorities are urging anyone with further information regarding this shooting to contact the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
This developing story highlights ongoing concerns about safety and police engagement in tense situations, making it essential for community members to stay informed as further details emerge.
