officer-involved-shooting · San Marcos, California

What happened after officers shot Andre Raphael Mendez during a San Marcos traffic stop?

What happened?

Andre Raphael Mendez was fatally shot by San Diego County Sheriff's deputies and a Palomar College Reserve Police Officer on February 18, 2026, after he allegedly pulled a gun during a traffic stop in San Marcos, California. The incident is currently under criminal investigation by the San Diego Police Department and internal reviews by the involved agencies, with no final determinations or charges announced as of March 2026.

Unresolved or unknown

Last checked: Jun 20, 2026
Sources: The Coast News Group; San Diego, CA Patch; KSWB-TV (Fox 5 San Diego); San Diego County Sheriff's Department

Timeline

  1. Andre Raphael Mendez is fatally shot by law enforcement officers during a traffic stop in San Marcos, California, after allegedly pulling a gun.

  2. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department releases initial information about the deputy-involved shooting, identifying the deceased as Andre Raphael Mendez.

  3. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office releases body-worn camera footage of the incident.

  4. News reports confirm the incident is under investigation by the San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit, the District Attorney's Office, and internal reviews by the involved agencies.

  5. A vigil is held for Andre Raphael Mendez, with participants wearing shirts bearing his picture, and a YouTube video claims he was shot 85 times.

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