San Diego Officer Cleared in Fatal Shooting of 16-Year-Old

San Diego, CA, September 4, 2026 — A San Diego police officer will not face criminal charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old individual at the Santa Fe Train Depot in January 2025. The District Attorney’s office announced its decision, stating that there was insufficient evidence to prove any charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

According to the District Attorney’s office, the officer involved in the incident believed the 16-year-old was reaching for a weapon at the time of the shooting. This belief formed a key part of the investigation’s findings leading to the decision not to pursue criminal charges against the officer. The identity of the officer involved was not immediately provided.

The incident, which resulted in the death of the teenager, occurred in January of 2025 at the Santa Fe Train Depot. Details regarding the specific circumstances leading up to the shooting, such as the exact nature of the interaction or what the teen may have been reaching for, were not elaborated upon by the District Attorney’s office in the announcement.

In parallel to the criminal investigation’s conclusion, the city of San Diego has reached a settlement with the family of the 16-year-old victim. The city agreed to pay $30 million to the family. The details of this settlement were announced separately from the District Attorney’s decision regarding criminal culpability.

The District Attorney’s office stated that its review concluded that the available evidence did not meet the threshold required for criminal prosecution. The case has drawn attention due to the age of the victim and the involvement of law enforcement. No further details about the investigation or the evidence considered were made public by the DA’s office.

Story summarized from the original created by Dorian Hargrove • Times of San Diego on timesofsandiego.com, see more information here.

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