SAN MARCOS — The family of a man who was fatally shot by sheriff’s deputies in Spring Valley has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against San Diego County and the deputies involved.
The lawsuit filed Monday in San Diego federal court, which seeks at least $20 million in damages, says 34-year-old Victor Rendon Jr. was suffering from severe mental health issues that should have resulted in dispatching a psychiatric emergency response team after 911 was called to Rendon’s ex-girlfriend’s home on Nov. 15, 2024.
The woman told police Rendon had shown up uninvited at her residence and entered through a back door, armed with a pistol and was “acting erratically,” according to the San Diego Police Department, which investigated the shooting.
She also informed police that Rendon suffered from mental health issues, according to police, who said Rendon fired the gun a few times before exiting the home.
Police said he pointed the gun at deputies, while the lawsuit alleges Rendon was bringing the gun up to his own head, then was shot around a dozen times. Seven deputies opened fire, discharging at least 30 rounds total, according to the lawsuit.
The complaint contends Rendon did not pose a threat to the deputies or anyone else and that law enforcement ignored indications that he required mental health intervention.
The deputies involved were publicly identified as:
— Darryl Patmon, K-9;
— Evan Carey, Rancho San Diego Patrol;
— Chalit Carranto, San Marcos Patrol;
— Thomas Cook, San Marcos Patrol;
— Frank Spinelli, Rancho San Diego Patrol;
— Derek Trumbo, Lemon Grove Patrol and;
— Manuel Zamora, Lemon Grove Traffic.
All were named as defendants in Monday’s lawsuit, along with San Diego County.
