Bodycam video shows fatal police shooting at National City Car Dealership

On Tuesday, authorities released video footage of a police shooting that fatally wounded a 46-year-old drug suspect during an altercation at a car dealership near Naval Base San Diego.

The images – captured by uniform-worn cameras and a surveillance system from the National City car sales company – show San Diego County Sheriff’s Detective Douglas Akers opening fire on Gene Stewart of Lakeside after the suspect allegedly shot at the attorney from a parked vehicle had shot September 27th.

The events leading to the fatal shooting began shortly before 1:30 p.m. that day when officers from a multi-agency drug enforcement unit stopped a motorist in the 200 block of Mile of Cars Way for a traffic violation, according to sheriff’s officials.

After the driver of the white Acura stopped, Stewart jumped out of the passenger seat and ran away, authorities said. The driver and another passenger were arrested and subsequently arrested on suspicion of drug-related offenses.

Meanwhile, while officers, with assistance from the National City Police Department, were searching the area for the suspect, a witness called staff and reported seeing a man running onto the lot of a nearby car dealership and getting into a tow truck that was parked there.

Along with NCPD Cpl. William Phillips Jr., Akers – who was wearing street clothes and a tactical vest with “SHERIFF” printed on the front and back in bright yellow font – approached the truck. When Akers reached the passenger door, he knocked on it, identified himself as a deputy and ordered Stewart to put his hands up.

Stewart responded by firing a shot from a handgun at Akers through the closed passenger side window of the vehicle, injuring the lawman with flying glass fragments, according to sheriff’s officials. Akers fired several shots at the truck and hastily retreated for cover. A few moments later, Stewart got out of the truck, leaned forward and held his gun to his chest, authorities said.

The investigator then shot again at the suspect, who fell to the ground, mortally wounded.

Akers, who has worked at the sheriff’s office for about 35 years, was treated at a hospital for minor cuts, officials said.

City News Service contributed to this article.