Port police officer injured in multiple shootings in Little Italy area, two dead

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – A San Diego Harbor Police officer was shot and killed during a gun battle in Little Italy with a person suspected of being involved in a deadly shooting that occurred downtown about an hour earlier.

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said SDPD officers responded around 8:20 a.m. Wednesday to a reported shooting in the 1300 block of Union Street where two people were killed and a suspected shooter was at large.

According to Wahl, about 45 minutes later, Harbor Police officers assisting in the search spotted the person believed to be the suspected shooter in the Union Street shooting at Juniper Street and Kettner Boulevard in Little Italy .

During a confrontation, an exchange of gunfire ensued, with a Harbor Police officer shot in the hip and the suspect hit by the officers' shots.

The officer was taken to the hospital, and although Wahl said the officer was expected to be OK, her condition was not immediately known.

Wahl said the suspect was also taken to the hospital in unknown condition.

“That could have been much worse. I must commend the Port Police officers for their response and the manner in which they engaged the suspect. This is Little Italy; we have people walking the streets, cafes…their.” “The ability to run toward gunfire and bravely fight that person, I think saved lives,” Wahl said.

A motive for the Union Street shooting is being investigated by SDPD homicide detectives. The victims of this shooting have not been identified.