Oceanside / San Clemente— A multi-county police pursuit ended in a shooting on November 23, 2025 on southbound Interstate 5 near Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Incident Details
At approximately 12:45 a.m. on Saturday, officers from the Buena Park Police Department attempted to pull over a driver in a gray 2005 Cadillac CTS for a vehicle-code violation near La Palma Avenue and San Marino Drive. The driver fled, prompting a pursuit that crossed multiple counties and traveled on southbound I-5. Assistance was later assumed by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
At around 2:15 a.m., drones from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office were deployed to assist in locating the suspect. The pursuit ended in the Camp Pendleton area, where the driver exited the vehicle armed with a handgun and fled on foot into a brush area. The Buena Park police K-9 officer and at least one CHP officer fired their weapons at the suspect.The suspect would be taken into custody and transported to a hospital with major injuries. No officers were reported injured.
An investigation into this incident is underway.
Legal Oversight and Use-of-Force Standards
The use of deadly force by law-enforcement officers in California is governed by the case law and statutory standard in California Penal Code § 835a, which authorizes deadly force only when officers reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury.
Investigators will assess whether the suspect’s actions justified the officers’ belief of imminent threat, whether de-escalation or less-lethal means were feasible, and whether policy and training were followed.
If the force is found to be unjustified or unconstitutional, impacted individuals or their families may pursue claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Seeking Accountability for Officer Involved Shootings
If you witnessed the incident, were in the area during the closure, or are seeking to understand your rights following this event:
1. Request Public Records
You may request the incident and arrest reports, body-worn and vehicle camera footage, dispatch logs, K-9 unit reports, drone/aircraft footage, and forensic reports.
2. Preserve Your Own Evidence
Document the exact time, your location, what you observed, any photos or videos you took, and any communication or interactions you heard or received.
3. Consult with a Civil-Rights Attorney
If you believe the use of force may have been excessive, department protocols may have been violated, or your rights may have been infringed, speak with an attorney who specializes in police‐misconduct and civil‐rights cases.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by an officer-involved shooting such as this one, contact The Sehat Law Firm at (949) 825-5200 for a free consultation, or complete the form at the bottom of this page to speak with our legal team.
Legal Disclaimer:
This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or medical advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary, and any referenced here may not apply to your situation. This article was created from secondary sources and may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us and we will update or remove the post as needed.
