UPDATE: Escondido police have just identified the officers involved in a dramatic shooting of a knife-wielding man last week. The incident, which occurred around 12:10 p.m. on October 11, 2023, involved a confrontation with 54-year-old Juan Ramos, who allegedly posed a serious threat to public safety.
Witnesses alerted authorities about Ramos acting erratically at the busy intersection of South Centre City Parkway and Felicita Avenue. Officers from the Escondido Police Department were dispatched immediately to address the dangerous situation. Upon arrival, officers Timothy Mills, Robert Bellamy, and detective Jeffery Bolton attempted to de-escalate the confrontation by instructing Ramos to drop the knife he was brandishing.
According to the San Diego Police Department, Ramos refused to comply and instead charged at the detective while holding the knife, prompting the officers to fire their weapons. “The man ignored the officers’ commands and ran toward the detective with the knife in his hand,” police stated.
Despite being shot, Ramos managed to get back on his feet and continued to approach the uniformed officers. This led to a second round of gunfire, again striking him. Officers reported that Ramos expressed a desire for the officers to shoot him, which heightened the urgency of the situation.
After the initial shooting, officers deployed sponge rounds in an attempt to subdue Ramos. Eventually, one officer was able to disarm him and take control of the situation. Paramedics from the Escondido Fire Department transported Ramos to Palomar Medical Center, where he is expected to survive his injuries.
The officers involved in this tense incident were equipped with body-worn cameras, which captured the events as they unfolded, providing vital evidence for the ongoing investigation. Mills, who has served with the EPD for approximately eight months, and Bellamy, a veteran officer with around 17 years of experience, along with Bolton, who has been with the department for three years, are now under scrutiny as authorities review the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Ramos is facing charges related to assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon. As this story develops, authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
This incident raises important questions about police use of force and the challenges officers face when dealing with individuals in crisis. Stay tuned for updates as this urgent story continues to develop.
