A late-night traffic stop in San Marcos, California, escalated into a fatal officer-involved shooting on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, leaving a 33-year-old man dead after an armed confrontation with law enforcement.
According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the incident began shortly after 9 p.m. when a deputy assigned to the San Marcos station initiated a traffic stop on a red Hyundai Sonata in the 600 block of North Twin Oaks Valley Road for a vehicle code violation. The vehicle was occupied by a 21-year-old woman driving and a male passenger later identified as Andre Raphael Mendez.
During the stop, the deputy conducted a records check on the vehicle’s license plate and VIN, which reportedly did not match Department of Motor Vehicles registration records. The deputy also observed damage to the steering column, raising suspicions that the vehicle may have been stolen. Additional deputies were called to assist with the investigation.
As backup units, including a Palomar College Reserve Police officer, arrived on scene, Mendez reportedly became uncooperative. Authorities say he rolled up his window and ignored repeated commands from deputies. Moments later, Mendez allegedly reached toward the floorboard and armed himself with a semiautomatic handgun.
Deputies quickly moved to secure the scene, removing the female driver safely from the vehicle. Despite continued commands to drop the weapon, Mendez did not comply and began raising the firearm, according to officials. In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, three deputies deployed tasers, but they appeared to be ineffective.
Authorities state that Mendez then fired two rounds from inside the vehicle. In response, five deputies and one Palomar College Reserve Police officer discharged their firearms, striking him.
Deputies removed Mendez from the vehicle and immediately began life-saving efforts. Despite those attempts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
No deputies or bystanders were reported injured during the incident. The female driver was not harmed and is cooperating with investigators.
The shooting remains under active investigation, as is standard protocol in officer-involved incidents. Authorities are expected to review body camera footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence to determine the full sequence of events.
Further details may be released as the investigation progresses.