Suicidal Man on the Coronado Bridge Shot to Death by CHP Officers

A 54-year-old man threatening to jump off the Coronado Bridge early Sunday morning was shot to death by Highway Patrol officers who believed he was reaching for a gun, according to the San Diego Police Department.

The man was pacing back and forth in the traffic lanes midspan of the bridge just before 1:30 a.m. when the CHP officers contacted him, trying to convince him to get help, according to police. The man told the officers that he had a gun and would fire on them if they tried to stop him from jumping off the bridge.

According to Lt. Ernie Herbert of the San Diego Police Department’s homicide unit, the CHP officers continued to negotiate with the man when he suddenly reached into a pocket and quickly removed his hand as if he were reaching for a gun. Three CHP officers shot the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

The three officers are assigned to the San Diego CHP office. Two of the officers are three-year veterans, and one is a two-year veteran, according to San Diego police.

Authorities have determined the man’s identity, but have not released his name pending notification of his family.