Bullet fired by deputy missed man who allegedly made threatening motion
Dante Ulanday - News Moderator 
A deputy fired a round that missed a man who allegedly had claimed to have a firearm during a confrontation in Lakeside, authorities said Thursday.
The shooting took place shortly before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 9200 block of Briette Place in Lakeside, after the Lakeside Fire Department was summoned to evaluate a person believed to be overdosing, San Diego police said.
The San Diego Police Department is investigating the incident under the terms of a countywide agreement between local law enforcement agencies regarding shootings and other potentially deadly uses of force.
Fire crews responding to the reported overdose called in deputies with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. One of the deputies located the man, identified as Eric Ralls, on an embankment near Pinkard Way.
While speaking with him, Ralls, 30, allegedly made the claim regarding the firearm and hid his hands in the back of his waistband.
“The man did not comply (with instructions) and maintained his hands concealed at his rear waistband,” police said in a statement.
The man then pulled his hands back suddenly, according to the statement, “extended his arms out, with hands together and pointed towards the deputy,” who then fired one round at Ralls. The man, after the near miss, ran and was apprehended moments later by other deputies.
The firearm Ralls claimed to have at the property was not at the scene, police said.
Ralls was taken to Sharp Grossmont Hospital for evaluation due to the potential overdose. He was in stable condition but while inside the ambulance on the way to the hospital, the suspect allegedly kicked a medic, according to the SDPD.
The deputy who fired his weapon has been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for about two years. He was equipped with a body-worn camera, which was activated during the shooting, police said. His name was not released.
Ralls faces charges for allegedly deterring a peace officer from performing his duty and assaulting an emergency personnel member.
