The Star-News (Chula Vista)
21 Jul 1990

NATIONAL CITY - A Police officer responding to a robbery call at a local business accidentally shot an employee before learning that the call had been a false alarm. 

Elden Hansen, of Chula Vista, suffered a gunshot wound to his right leg Wednesday evening, a National City Police spokesman said. Hansen was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital and is listed in stable condition, police added.

The department is investigating the case. Police did not release the name of the officer who fired the shot. 

Officers were already at the scene of a robbery call when the police dispatcher announced it had been a false alarm, police said. The report came from J.F. Keaveny Inc., on the 1400 block of McKinley Avenue. 

Hansen, office manager of the company, was shot in the right leg when he opened the door to police, polcie said. 

The Star-News (Chula Vista) 
14 Nov 1990

​NATIONAL CITY - In the midst of the public concern about police shootings, a jury awarded $137,000 to a local woman who was shot and injured in 1988 by a San Diego police officer. 

Rosella Esparza, of National City, was shot accidentally by an officer who aimed for a man suspected of shoplifting. Both were in the same car, which was trying to make a getaway from undercover officers.

San Diego officer Angel Baldenegro felt his life was in danger because the suspect accelerated when officers approached the car, Gene Gordon, chief deputy city attorney for San Diego, said. 

Baldenegro stood in front of the car and ordered the driver to stop. But when the driver accelerated, the officer fired two shots, Gordon said. One shot hit the door, and the second shot hit Esparza's leg. 

The driver later pleaded guilty to burglary. 

Gordon said Esparza sued for about $2 but was awarded $37,000 for medical expenses and $100,000 for pain and suffering. He said the city contends the shooting was justified. 

"We're disappointed. Both the DA and San Diego Police department found the shooting to be justified," he said. "Had the driver not veered to the right, in all probability the officer would have been struck."

Gordon said public concern about police shootings may have influenced the jury's decision in "some subconscious way," but he said that is only speculation. 

"There are people who feel that law enforcement officers are trigger happy," he said. 

The Star-News (Chula Vista) 
15 Jan 1994
By Elizabeth Kraemer
Staff Writer

National City - Family members and friends, mourning the death of police shooting victim Jaime Carbajal, are looking for answers. Tuesday they packed City Hall, imploring council members and the mayor for help. 

"A month has passed and the family has not seen a report and the officers are back on patrol," Diana Guerena, a longtime friend of the family told the council. "Does this mean the shooting was justified?"

Last month police opened fire on Carbajal, a 29 year old mechanic, after he reportedly came toward them with a 15 inch Bowie hunting knife. Officers Randy Bishop and Steve Lindley were responding to a 911 call from Bertha Carbajal who reported she was frightened because her husband had been drinking and was slashing furniture. 

"Who do we call when we are in danger? Do we call 911 and expect to be killed?" asked Cristina Morena, Bertha Carbajal's sister. According to medical examiner reports, Carbajal was shot 10 times and had a blood alcohol level over the legal limit. 

The groups supporting Carbajal have been picketing City Hall and the police station each weekend since the incident. They've also distrubured fliers asking for support and gathered signatures, petitioning to takethe officers off duty until questions are answered. 

Police Chief Kent Ressor told the council it was his decision to return the officers to duty after a three day leave. Defending his actions, Reesor said "our officers are well trained and I made the decision to release them after a full (psychological) interview."

"We have nothing to hide and it will all come out," Reesor said, adding that a council meeting was not the forum for discussing the report. 

The internal investigation, completed Monday, was turned over to the District Attorney's office. With 75 witnesses contacted during the investigation, Reesor said the report, which is the size of two large telephone books, was a thorough investigation. 

Stephen Anear, deputy district attorney of the special operations divisions, said he will supervise the review and whatever conclusions are reached will be communicatied to the police department.