[symple_googlemap title=”” location=”3000 block of Jeffrey Drive, Costa Mesa, CA” height=”300″ zoom=”13″]
Police in Costa Mesa were attempting to arrest a suspect wanted in New Mexico and Texas on suspicion of sexually assaulting a child and other crimes when he was killed in an exchange of gunfire with officers, a lieutenant said Thursday.
Julius L. Pinson was wanted on a warrant out of New Mexico in 2011 cases involving “criminal sexual penetration of a minor” and felony embezzlement, according to Costa Mesa police Lt. Paul Dondero.
Pinson was also wanted in Texas on a warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, he said. The suspect was shot about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday in an apartment complex in the 3000 block of Jeffrey Drive.
Pinson grew “violently combative” and “brandished a handgun,” according to Costa Mesa police Lt. Bryan Glass. During the ensuing struggle, shots were fired by the suspect and an officer, Glass said.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, while two officers were treated for minor injuries, Glass said.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the shooting, which is standard protocol in shootings involving officers.
— City News Service