IMAGE: CNS photo/Earnie Grafton, Reuters
By
SAN
DIEGO (CNS) — Bishop Robert W.
McElroy of San Diego asked
people to pray for calm and called on police to be “as transparent as
possible” in their investigation following the shooting of unarmed man in
a San Diego suburb.
The bishop said
the Catholic community was saddened by the shooting death of Alfred Olango of El Cajon
during a confrontation with police officers Sept. 27.
“We
understand the pain the community feels. We pray for calm during this wrenching
time and stand ready to work together to achieve true justice and peace for
all,” Bishop McElroy said in a brief statement released by the diocese
Sept. 29.
The bishop said
he acknowledged the personal risk police officers face, but called for
transparency as they worked to piece together details of the incident.
Since the
shooting, protesters have marched in the streets of El Cajon.
Authorities
said two men were arrested late Sept. 29 after violence broke out during a
protest involving 50 to 75 people. Law enforcement officers shot pepper
spray to disperse the protesters who had blocked streets and got into a
confrontation with drivers upset with the road closing.
Witnesses
said some protesters threw bottles at police in riot gear during a third night
of protests.
The
shooting occurred after two police officers responded to a report of a man
behaving erratically and walking into the street. Police said one of the
responding officers aimed a Taser at the man and the other drew a gun. Both
officers fired when the man, identified as Olango, pointed a silver object and
pointed it at one of the officers.
The
object turned out to be vape smoking device with a metal cylinder, police said. A
photo released by authorities showed the man pointing the device at one of the
officers. Family members have called for release of police video of the
incident.
Police
declined to release any video, citing guidelines by the district attorney
requiring the investigation to move forward.
Members
of Olango’s family have said they had called police for help and told them that
he was having an emotional breakdown and was unarmed.
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