Investigators have released the name of the San Diego Police Department sergeant who shot at a fleeing female parolee Wednesday in the Fairbanks Ranch area.
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The sergeant who discharged his weapon has been identified as Jeffrey Houchins, according to a statement released Friday by Lt. Juan Marquez of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. Houchins has been with San Diego police for 16 years and is assigned to patrol duties in the city’s Western Division.
The incident began at about 11 a.m. Wednesday, when San Diego police officers came upon an occupied stolen vehicle on Tecolote Road in the Morena neighborhood of San Diego, officials said. They attempted a vehicle stop, but the driver fled, prompting a pursuit. The vehicle traveled across multiple freeways and surface streets before the pursuit was terminated due to community safety concerns.
A short time later, officers noticed the vehicle stopped and attempted to contact the driver, who fled for a second time, police said.
As the pursuit continued, officers deployed tire deflation devices on Derby Farms Road near Steeple Chase Row, just south of the Fairbanks Ranch Country Club. That’s when the suspect allegedly accelerated the vehicle toward two officers standing on an embankment near the deflation devices, according to Marquez.
San Diego police officer fires at driver during pursuit, sheriff’s officials say
“Fearing for their safety, a San Diego police sergeant discharged one round, striking the stolen vehicle,” Marquez said. “The suspect continued fleeing.”
The pursuit ended when the suspect, identified as Janet Debbie Hammel, 35, of San Diego, was taken into custody at Ted Williams Parkway and Highland Ranch Road in Carmel Mountain Ranch.
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Hammel was arrested on suspicion of two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer, possession of a stolen vehicle, grand theft, felony reckless evading and violation of parole, Marquez said.
She remained in custody Saturday without bail at the Las Colinas Detention facility in Santee and was scheduled to be arraigned Monday in San Diego Superior Court.
No one was injured during the pursuit and shooting.
Once the Homicide Unit concludes its investigation, the case will be submitted to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office for review to determine whether the officer bears any criminal liability, Marquez said.
The SDPD will also conduct an administrative review into the officer’s discharge of the firearm.
Anyone with information regarding the incident was asked to contact the sheriff’s Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
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