Bodycam Shows Officer Using a Taser on Fleeing Suspect in San Diego

A police response to a reported sexual assault in a San Diego apartment complex quickly escalated when officers encountered a man carrying a cane and then a knife. What followed was a tense foot pursuit through the complex, a Taser deployment, and an officer-involved shooting after the suspect appeared to reach toward his waistband.

OFFICERS RESPOND TO A DISTURBING CALL

On July 7, 2022, San Diego police responded to an apartment in the 300 block of South Meadowbrook Drive in the Bay Terraces neighborhood shortly before 7:30 p.m.

The suspect was identified as Maurice Littlejohn. Officers encountered him near the apartment while investigating the reported sexual assault. According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, Littlejohn initially had a cane and threatened officers before producing a knife.

OFFICERS QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THE ENCOUNTER COULD BECOME DANGEROUS.

TASER FAILS AS SUSPECT RUNS

Bodycam footage shows officers ordering Littlejohn to drop the cane. After he complied, officers attempted to detain him.

Instead, Littlejohn refused to cooperate and began moving away. Police said he then pulled a knife, prompting an officer to deploy a Taser.

THE TASER DID NOT STOP HIM, AND LITTLEJOHN BROKE FREE AND RAN THROUGH THE APARTMENT COMPLEX.

Officers immediately chased him on foot while repeatedly ordering him to stop and keep his hands visible.

OFFICER FIRES AFTER SUSPECT REACHES TOWARD HIS WAIST

As Littlejohn ran, officers saw him reach toward his waistband and pull out an object they believed could be a firearm.

Officer Trevor Gallagher fired two rounds at Littlejohn. THE SHOTS MISSED, AND THE SUSPECT CONTINUED RUNNING. Later footage and investigation showed that the object was a cellphone rather than a firearm.

Littlejohn eventually stopped near Meadowbrook Drive and Brookhaven Road. Officers moved in and took him to the ground after another struggle.

SUSPECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

Three officers were ultimately able to restrain Littlejohn. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment before being booked into San Diego Central Jail.

Authorities initially booked him on charges including assault with intent to commit a felony, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and using violence to resist arrest. No officers were injured.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department investigated the officer-involved shooting, while San Diego police investigated the original sexual-assault allegations. The San Diego County District Attorney's Office later reviewed the shooting as part of its officer-involved-shooting process.