Police Shoot Knife-Wielding Man Who Allegedly Charged At Officers

Police shot a 54-year-old knife-wielding man Wednesday afternoon in Escondido, California after he allegedly charged at officers after walking through traffic.

The Escondido Police Department (EPD) received a call about Juan Ramos approaching passing drivers on the street while armed with a knife around 12:10 p.m., CBS8 reported, citing the San Diego Police Department (SDPD). Two uniformed Escondido cops and one Escondido detective found the suspect walking in an intersection after he walked across lanes of traffic and ordered him to drop the knife, officials said.

The suspect refused and allegedly ran toward the detective while still wielding his weapon. All three officers fired their guns, striking the suspect. Ramos collapsed to the ground but swiftly stood up and ran toward the officers with his knife once more, prompting a second shooting, the SDPD said. The alleged attacker fell to the ground after being hit again but continued to grasp his knife, preventing officers from apprehending or medically helping him, police said.

“During the confrontation, the man made comments indicating he wanted the officers to shoot him,” an SDPD press release read.

Footage obtained by NBC7 San Diego appears to show a man charge toward multiple police officers before falling to the ground. He seemingly gets back up and approaches the officers again before falling to the ground a second time. He appears to be wielding a knife in his right hand.

Other officers showed up at the scene with less-lethal sponge rounds and fired several rounds at Ramos, ultimately forcing the knife out of the suspect’s hand, officials said. Ramos received medical aid and was taken to Palomar Medical Center. He is expected to recover from his wounds.

Man armed with knife tries to escape California cops after being shot multiple times https://t.co/4xge0hgSUw pic.twitter.com/9XJ4AqeGKi

— New York Post (@nypost) November 28, 2025

The SDPD’s Homicide Detectives are actively investigating the incident based on county protocol, according to FOX 5 San Diego. The San Diego District Attorney’s Office will review the case once the investigation is complete to determine if the officers will be held liable.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are monitoring the matter and the EPD will review it internally. The SDPD said authorities charged Ramos with assaulting a peace officer with a deadly weapon.

The two uniformed officers both wore body cameras during the incident, the SDPD said. The officers have been employed with the EPD for around eight months and 17 years respectively, while the detective has served for around three years. (RELATED: Naval Officer Dead After Saving Two Children From Rough Waters)

None of the officers were injured during the shooting, NBC San Diego reported, citing officials.

The Daily Caller contacted the San Diego Police Department, who did not immediately comment on the incident.