Deputies and campus reserve officer identified after San Marcos traffic stop ends in fatal shooting

What happened

Authorities have identified the man who was killed and the law enforcement personnel who fired their weapons during a February 18, 2026, traffic stop in San Marcos that escalated into a gun battle.

The shooting occurred at about 9 p.m. in the 600 block of North Twin Oaks Valley Road, roughly a quarter-mile south of Borden Road. A San Diego County Sheriff’s deputy initiated a stop of a red Hyundai Sonata for a vehicle code violation. The vehicle was occupied by a 21-year-old woman driving and a male passenger later identified as 33-year-old Andre Raphael Mendez of Oceanside.

Sequence described by investigators

During the stop, the deputy ran a record check of the car’s license plate and vehicle identification number. Investigators said those identifiers appeared inconsistent with Department of Motor Vehicles registration records. The deputy also observed damage to the steering column, which investigators said suggested the car might have been stolen.

The deputy requested additional units. After backup arrived, investigators said Mendez rolled up his window and ignored repeated commands to lower it. Investigators said he then reached toward the floorboard, retrieved a semiautomatic handgun, and did not comply with commands to drop the weapon.

Deputies positioned on the driver’s side removed the driver from the vehicle and escorted her to safety. Investigators said Mendez began raising the handgun. Three deputies deployed conducted-energy devices, which investigators said were ineffective. Investigators said Mendez then fired two rounds from inside the vehicle.

Return fire followed. Authorities said Mendez was struck, removed from the vehicle, and received attempted lifesaving measures, but he died at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

Names released

Authorities said six law enforcement personnel discharged firearms during the incident:

• San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputies Sean Dwyer, Justin Tesar, Jake Brown, Chalit Caranto, and Thomas Cook
• Palomar College Reserve Police Officer Kyle Hodges

Officials said the sheriff’s deputies involved have been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for between five and seven years, and the reserve police officer for four years.

How the investigation proceeds

The San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit is leading the investigation under a countywide framework in which an outside agency investigates shootings involving another department to reduce conflicts of interest. In parallel with the criminal investigation, reviews typically include an assessment by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office focused on whether the use of deadly force was legally justified; separate administrative reviews examine policy compliance.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact the San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.