One Dead Following Officer-Involved Shooting in El Centro

EL CENTRO, Calif. – The El Centro Police Department confirmed an officer-involved shooting that left one person dead Sunday evening in the 400 block of East Main Street.

According to an official press release, officers responded at approximately 6:30 p.m. on October 5 to a report of a stolen vehicle near Dogwood Road and Main Street. Upon arrival, police located the vehicle in a parking lot behind a nearby business.

While officers attempted to contact the occupants of the vehicle, an officer-involved shooting occurred. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. His identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.

In a statement, the department said it “acknowledges that any loss of life is a profound tragedy that affects our entire community” and reaffirmed its commitment to “transparency and accountability” throughout the investigation.

Per departmental protocol, the Imperial Valley District Attorney’s Office has taken over the investigation into the incident. The El Centro Police Department stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact Investigations Sergeant Omar Mandujano at (760) 352-2111.