While police have not named the victim, the family identified him as Konoa Steven Wilson, a student at Bayside Community School in Logan Heights. Steven Wilson, the father of the deceased, told CBS 8 that his son was "a leader" who had never been in trouble before. The family has expressed deep confusion and disbelief over the circumstances of the shooting, stating that the incident "doesn't make sense." They described their son as someone who was not prone to trouble, further questioning how the situation escalated to a fatal encounter with police.
On Tuesday, January 28, San Diego Police Department Officer Daniel Gold had just arrived in the area on an unrelated call when a fellow patrolman reported hearing gunfire at the historic Kettner Boulevard train station shortly before 9pm, according to SDPD officials. Just before the shots were fired, a surveillance camera captured Wilson walking on a boarding platform toward two individuals in black clothing, appearing to reach for something near his waist before suddenly running in the opposite direction.
One of the individuals in black then can be seen pulling a gun and firing at least two shots at Wilson before fleeing north with his companion. Wilson immediately ran for his life, first heading south before turning east through an open-air corridor at the depot.
At the same time, Officer Gold, an officer of only two-years with the SDPD, approached the corridor entrance with his gun drawn and his body-worn camera activated. As soon as Wilson emerged directly in front of him onto a sidewalk on the east side of the station, Gold immediately fired at close range. Wilson screamed and continued running for a short distance before collapsing. Officers then reportedly began performing CPR, during which they claim to have found a handgun concealed under Wilson's clothing near his right thigh, according to police. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The newly released footage, which has much of the audio of the incident removed, provides additional context to the shooting but leaves questions unanswered. There are no indications that Wilson fired his gun during the incident or was holding it when Gold opened fire.
Following an investigation by the San Diego County Sheriff's Office - which reviews uses of lethal force by SDPD personnel under a regional agreement designed to prevent conflicts of interest - the District Attorney's Office will determine whether Gold acted lawfully in the shooting.
On February 6, police arrested a 16-year-old suspect in connection with the initial gunfire that led to the police shooting. His name has been withheld due to his status as a minor.
Watch the full video below.Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at 858.285.6330 or Crime Stoppers at 888.580.8477.
