SAN DIEGO, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- A San Diego police officer shot in the head while sitting in his squad car at an intersection died Sunday, authorities said.
Police Chief William Lansdowne told reporters Sunday afternoon officer Jeremy Henwood, 36, who was shot Saturday afternoon while waiting at a stoplight while on patrol in San Diego's City Heights district, died at 1:42 a.m. Sunday at Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego's KNSD-TV reported.
Mayor Jerry Sanders offered his "deep condolences" to the fallen officer's family, friends and colleagues "on behalf of all San Diegans."
"This tragedy is another grim reminder that our police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our community, and we are grateful for their courage and sacrifice," Sanders said.
Police said Henwood, a four-year veteran of the force, probably didn't know a shotgun-wielding robbery suspect was on the loose in the area.
"As far as we know, it was totally unprovoked," police Capt. Jim Collins told The San Diego Union-Tribune. "He was not attempting to stop the suspect vehicle. He had no idea that was the suspect vehicle."
The suspect in the shooting and the earlier robbery in neighboring El Cajon was fatally shot by several police officers shortly before 6:30 p.m. after being cornered in a residential neighborhood. Officials said the suspect was carrying a shotgun at the time.
Lansdowne identified the slain suspect as Dejon Marquee White, KNSD-TV said.
The episode began with a robbery attempt at a fast-food restaurant in El Cajon in which one person was shot and wounded.
KUSI-TV in San Diego said a California Highway Patrol briefly pursued the suspect, who was driving erratically on the busy highway between San Diego and El Cajon. The CHP officer also was unaware the speeding car was connected to a robbery and discontinued the pursuit rather than risk an accident.
Passersby gave first aid to Henwood and a woman called for help on the patrol car radio.
Henwood also was in the Marine Reserves and had recently returned from deployment.
