San Diego Sheriff’s Department Press Release
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is releasing video from a deputy-involved shooting that occurred on May 4, 2024 in the unincorporated community of Bonsall in the North County. We are committed to transparency, public trust and compliance with the law.
The San Diego Police Department is investigating the shooting per a Memorandum of Agreement signed in 2022. This formal agreement adds a layer of transparency to ensure no agencies investigate their own shooting incidents. To read the news releases issued regarding this incident, click on the links below:
SDPD News Release Bonsall Deputy-Involved Shooting
SDPD News Release Vista Sheriff’s Station Deputies Identified
With the investigation still underway, San Diego Police has reviewed and approved the release of this critical incident video.
The District Attorney’s Office will review San Diego Police’s investigation. The County’s Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) is reviewing the incident and will provide appropriate recommendations. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and United States Attorney’s Office are also monitoring the investigation.
San Diego Police Department Press Release
Investigation of San Diego Sheriff’s Department Deputy-Involved-Shooting
Fallbrook – On Saturday, May 4, 2024, at approximately 11:37 a.m., the San Diego Sheriff’s
Department Communications Center received numerous calls from several citizens reporting a
male brandishing a handgun while walking east along Mission Road (SR-76) at Old River Road in
Bonsall. In addition, several of the reporting citizens reported the male was also armed with a
knife and specifically described the handgun as a Glock style firearm.
Deputies were immediately dispatched and as they drove to the area, a request was made for
assistance from a Canine Unit and a police helicopter. As deputies responded to the area,
numerous additional citizens continued to call the Sheriff’s Department to report the male was
armed with a handgun and was walking east along Mission Road (SR-76).
As the first two patrol deputies arrived at the intersection of Mission Road (SR-76) and Via Montellano, they contacted the male who was still brandishing a knife in one hand and what appeared to be a Glock style
firearm in his other hand. The deputies gave the male numerous commands to drop the weapons
he was holding as they waited for additional resources to arrive. However, the male refused to
drop the weapons he was brandishing, and a deputy involved shooting occurred.
Both deputies fired their department issued handguns multiple times, striking the suspect in his
legs and lower body. This incapacitated the suspect, and he dropped the weapons he was
holding. The deputies were able to take the suspect into custody and immediately rendered first
aid until paramedics arrived. The male was transported to a local hospital for treatment. At this
time, his injuries are considered non-life threatening. The two deputies involved in the shooting
were not injured during this incident.
The suspect in this case has been identified as Patrick Wendell Lowell of Escondido. He is
described as a 66-year-old white male. Lowell was arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on
a Peace Officer and an outstanding felony warrant.
The deputies involved in the shooting have been employed by San Diego Sheriff’s Department for
three and five years, respectively. Both are currently assigned as patrol deputies from the Vista
Patrol Station.
Per the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, the San Diego Police Homicide Unit was
called to the scene to conduct the deputy-involved-shooting investigation. Detectives are
currently gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining the circumstances
surrounding the shooting. The weapons the male was reported to have been brandishing were
recovered at the scene.
The investigation and review process for deputy-involved shootings are extremely thorough.
When the Homicide Unit completes its investigation, it will be reviewed by the San Diego County
District Attorney’s Office to determine if the officers bear any criminal liability for their actions.
The San Diego Sheriff’s Department will conduct an administrative investigation into the
deputy’s discharge of his firearm. The Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) will
conduct a review of the incident and provide any appropriate recommendations. The Federal
Bureau of Investigations and the United States Attorney’s Office will also be monitoring the
investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-
2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.