Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Man Fatally Shot By El Cajon Police Was Holding A Vape Pen
Alfred Olango, the unarmed black man fatally shot by police in El Cajon Tuesday afternoon, was holding a vape pen, according to a statement issued by the El Cajon Police Department Wednesday evening. Olango was a Ugandan refugee who emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 12 in 1991, according to NBC San Diego. His death has sparked protests in the San Diego suburb.
Two police officers had responded to 9-1-1 calls about a man walking in traffic and acting erratically around 2 p.m. on Tuesday. According to NPR, one of the calls was made by Olango's sister, who said that she told police her brother was mentally ill and unarmed. NBC San Diego reports that police arrived about an hour after Olango's sister had made the call, and that the shooting happened within two minutes of their arrival.
In a YouTube video shot in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Olango's sister is seen screaming and weeping as she tells police that her brother was mentally ill, and that she had called for police to help him. "I called for help. I didn't call you guys to kill him," she is heard telling the officers.
El Cajon Police Lt. Rob Ransweiler told CNN that Olango failed to comply with the directives given by officers after they arrived and confronted him, and that Olango kept his hands in his pockets while pacing back and forth. According to a statement from the department, one of the two responding officers drew their weapon and pointed it at the man because of his non-compliance, "while continuing to give him instructions to remove his hand from his pocket."
Support for LAist comes from
As the other responding officer prepared to deploy a Taser as a less lethal option, Olango rapidly withdrew something from his pocket and pointed it at the officers, taking up "what appeared to be a shooting stance," according to the department's statement. The officers responded by opening fire on Olango, with one officer deploying his Taser while the other fired rounds from his handgun, according to the L.A. Times. Olango died as a result of his injuries at an area hospital that day.
The object that Olango withdrew from his pocket was not a gun but a vape pen. The department identified it as a "Pioneer for You Vape," and reports that it was collected as evidence at the scene.
A witness captured a video of the incident, which they voluntarily turned over to the police department. The video has not yet been made public, but the department has said that it corroborates their version of events. According to NPR, the El Cajon Police Department, the FBI and the district attorney are investigating the shooting, and the two officers have been placed on administrative leave.
On Wednesday, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells identified one of the officers involved in the shooting as Richard Gonsalves, a 21-year veteran of the department who, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, was demoted last year following a sexual harassment suit.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist