Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Xavier Benjamine Lacosta
Age : 31
Gender : Male
Race : Latino/a/e
Date : 08/15/2023
Location : Plaza Apartments, 6150 El Cajon Boulevard
City : San Diego
County : San Diego
State : California
Agency : San Diego Police Department
Officer(s) :Gregory Simon
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during search of home
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 08/15/2023, at approximately 6:45 p.m., San Diego Police Department officers served a search warrant and arrest warrant at the Plaza Apartments, 6150 El Cajon Boulevard, for 31-year-old Xavier Benjamine LaCosta. Detectives had identified LaCosta as one of two people who fired shots at another motorist during a roadway shooting on 08/02/2023. The other participant, Benjamin Pickens, had been killed by San Diego police later that same day during a separate encounter.
Detectives from the Northern Division worked with the Special Investigations Unit and Special Operations Unit to arrest LaCosta. Officers surrounded the apartment building and repeatedly attempted to contact him by telephone and by announcing their presence outside the apartment. After several minutes, LaCosta opened the apartment door while holding a handgun that investigators later identified as a privately manufactured "ghost gun."
Officers repeatedly ordered LaCosta to place the gun on the ground. He complied and set the firearm on the floor in front of him. Officers then instructed him to raise his hands above his head and warned that a police dog would be deployed if he failed to comply. While standing in the doorway, LaCosta suddenly crouched and reached toward the handgun on the floor. As soon as his hand touched the weapon, Officer Gregory Simon fired seven rounds from his patrol rifle, striking LaCosta multiple times. He died at the scene.
The San Diego Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit conducted the criminal investigation under the countywide officer-involved shooting protocol. Investigators collected body-camera video, photographs, forensic evidence, witness interviews, dispatch recordings and search warrant materials. The San Diego Police Department later released edited body-camera footage showing the encounter from the officers' perspective.
The San Diego County District Attorney completed its review on 05/13/2024. The review concluded that Officer Gregory Simon reasonably believed LaCosta presented an immediate threat when he reached for the handgun after repeated commands to keep away from it. The District Attorney determined that Simon's use of deadly force was legally justified under California law and declined to file criminal charges. Toxicology testing detected amphetamine and methamphetamine in LaCosta's blood.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/man-shot-killed-by-sdpd-in-college-area/
