San Diego Police Investigate Escondido Officer-Involved Shooting in Escondido After Reported Knife-Wielding Encounter

What is known about the Escondido officer-involved shooting

San Diego Police homicide investigators are examining an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Escondido on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, after a series of emergency calls reported a man behaving erratically in traffic while holding what was described as a knife.

Authorities said the initial reports came in at about 12:10 p.m. near Centre City Parkway and Felicita Avenue. Police described the man as moving through active lanes and approaching motorists, creating a safety hazard for drivers and pedestrians. The encounter later shifted north to the area of Centre City Parkway and 13th Avenue/13th Street, where officers confronted the man and repeatedly ordered him to drop the knife.

Sequence of events described by investigators

Investigators said two uniformed Escondido police officers and an Escondido police detective were involved in the confrontation. The man was later identified as 54-year-old Juan Ramos.

• Police said Ramos did not comply with commands to drop the knife.
• Investigators said Ramos ran toward the detective while holding the knife, prompting the officers to fire their service weapons.
• Police said Ramos fell, then got up and moved toward the uniformed officers, leading to a second round of gunfire.
• Investigators said Ramos continued holding the knife while on the ground, delaying officers’ ability to safely approach.
• Police said additional officers used a less-lethal launcher firing sponge rounds, and one round dislodged the knife, allowing officers to take him into custody and begin medical aid.

Ramos was transported by paramedics to Palomar Medical Center, where authorities said he underwent surgery and was expected to survive. No officers were reported injured. Police said Ramos was expected to face a charge of assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon.

Why San Diego Police are leading the investigation

San Diego Police took over the criminal investigation under a countywide practice designed to avoid conflicts of interest when a law enforcement agency’s own personnel are involved in a shooting. Such cases are typically reviewed both as criminal investigations and as administrative use-of-force reviews within the involved agency.

What remains unresolved

Key details had not been publicly clarified at the time of the most recent official updates, including whether any body-worn camera footage has been released, the precise number of rounds fired, the distance between Ramos and the involved personnel at the moments shots were fired, and whether investigators have completed interviews with all witnesses. The investigation remains open while San Diego Police continue collecting evidence and completing the case review process.

Editor’s note: Names of involved Escondido personnel were released after the incident; the investigation continues.