SDPD officer shoots, kills man said to have been armed with an ax

A man armed with an axe was shot and killed by a San Diego police officer after allegedly approaching the officer following a vandalism report, police said Thursday.

San Diego Police Department officers were dispatched at approximately 3:20 p.m. Wednesday regarding an adult male using an axe to vandalize a trolley car to the Morena/Linda Vista Trolley platform, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office .

Officers, along with the San Diego Air Support Unit, arrived within minutes and began searching the area for the suspect.

At about 3:35 p.m., an officer located a man matching the description in the 4700 block of Friars Road. Authorities stated that the man approached the officer while armed with an axe, leading to a shooting in which one officer fired multiple rounds, striking the suspect.

Officers immediately requested paramedics and began rendering aid. The San Diego Fire Department arrived and continued medical efforts. Despite these attempts, the man was pronounced dead at approximately 4:10 p.m.