Police Shoot, Kill Masturbating Man

Officer Suffers Minor Injury

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego police are investigating an officer-involved shooting of a naked man who was masturbating alongside a public bike path.

Problems Started Almost Immediately

Patrol officers had gone to the area about a half-hour earlier on reports of a naked man masturbating in public view, the San Diego Police Department's Bill Robinson said.

"The officer contacted him and initially, I was told, the man was laying on his side and for whatever reason the guy got up and started fighting with the officer," Capt. Ron Newman said.

According to police, the officer tried using mace and using a restraining hold, but without success.

Newman said the officer drew his gun when the man grabbed a large rock.

The shooting victim was fatally wounded, affiliate Web site TheSanDiegoChannel.com reported. The officer also sustained a minor hand injury.

Though hidden from view, the path under the bridge is a popular one for inline skaters, joggers and bike riders.

Resident Sam Constasti said that he uses the path all the time, but the stretch of bike path under the bridge makes him uneasy because of the transients who often hang out there.

"Oh, they give you a hard time and give you dirty looks. I don't make eye contact with them. I'm afraid of 'em," Contasti said.

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