Late Night Traffic Stop Erupts Into Gunfire After Man Grabs Handgun

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San Marcos, California — On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, shortly after 9 p.m., a San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the San Marcos station was on patrol when he conducted a traffic stop on a red Hyundai Sonata in the 600 block of N. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., for a vehicle code violation. The vehicle was occupied by a 21-year-old woman in the driver’s seat and a 33-year-old man, later identified as Andre Raphael Mendez in the front passenger seat. During the traffic stop, the deputy conducted a record check of the vehicle’s license plate and VIN, which appeared inconsistent with DMV registration records. The deputy also observed damage to the steering column, suggesting the vehicle might be stolen. The deputy then requested additional deputies to assist him with the investigation. As multiple deputies and a Palomar College Reserve Police officer arrived to assist, Mendez abruptly rolled up his window and ignored commands to keep it down. Mendez then reached toward the floorboard and armed himself with a semiautomatic handgun. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, Mendez did not comply. Deputies positioned on the driver’s side safely removed the female driver from the vehicle and escorted her to safety. Mendez continued to ignore commands and began to raise the firearm. In response to this, three deputies discharged their tasers, which appeared ineffective. Mendez then fired two rounds from the cabin of the vehicle, which prompted five deputies and one Palomar College Reserve Police officer to discharge their weapons, striking Mendez. Deputies removed Mendez from the vehicle and attempted life-saving measures; however, he did not survive.

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Bodycam: Deputy Sean Dwyer
4:36 - Bodycam: Corporal Justin Tesar
4:45 - Bodycam: Deputy Sean Dwyer
6:59 - Bodycam: Corporal Justin Tesar
7:30 - Cell Phone Video
8:25 - Patreon Supporters