The El Centro Police Department, California, released body-worn and dashcam video of the officer-involved shooting that killed a man who had been reported to have a gun, and was brandishing a black object in his hand. When he pointed it at an officer, the officer fired.
Rene McNish, acting deputy chief, El Centro Police Department, narrated the department’s critical incident community briefing video and described the events that led up to the shooting.
Police received 911 calls reporting that a man, armed with a gun, was trying to enter a home, McNish explained. An officer responded to the area and spotted a man matching the description given to dispatchers, who was holding an object in one hand and pointing it at witnesses.
“The man was shot when he suddenly turned and pointed the object at the officer,” McNish said.
911 Callers: "The Guy Has a Gun"
Just after 8 p.m. on May 21, a caller told a dispatcher she needed an officer and reported a man was in her backyard trying to enter her home. According to McNish, another witness followed the man and called 911 and said the man had a gun.
One caller is overheard yelling to the dispatcher, “Hey, the guy has a gun. The guy has a gun.”
Man Points Object at Officer
Video released by the El Centro Police Department shows a man, who had been reported to be armed, holding what appeared to be a gun. He was shot after pointing the object at an officer.El Centro Police Department screenshot of video
An officer arrived and saw the man walking down the street backwards while pointing something in his left hand. When the officer contacted dispatchers as he was arriving, he was told the man was reported to be armed with a gun.
“Only 14 seconds after receiving information about a man with a gun, the suspect turned and pointed the object at the officer,” McNish explained. “That is when the officer-involved shooting occurred.
The video shared several camera angles of the man, and Nish said, “Notice body stance faces up the street, then the man turns towards the officer and raises his left hand up, pointed directly at the officer.” After pointing the object at the officer, the man continued walking toward the officer.
After the shooting, the officer immediately requested medical aid, and paramedics responded. However, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The El Centro Police Department briefing video shared a photo of the object the man pointed at witnesses, and then at the officer. It appears to possibly be a bicycle seat.
Police released a photo of the object the man was pointing at witnesses, who said he had a gun, and the officer.El Centro Police Department screenshot of video
Previous Conviction for Attempted Murder
The man killed in the shooting was identified as Ezequiel Obed Espinoza, 22, and police reported he had been arrested numerous times previously, including:
- Assault with a deadly weapon, not firearm, in 2025
- Obstructing a police officer in 2025.
Espinoaa also had prior convictions for:
- Reckless driving in 2025
- 2nd degree robbery in 2024
- Attempted murder in 2018
Fatal OIS-Related Investigations
Kelly Brown, acting chief of the El Centro Police Department, said the shooting is the subject of three investigations:
- The El Centro Police Department is conducting an investigation to determine if the man who was shot committed any crimes.
- The California Department of Justice is conducting a criminal investigation to determine if the officers’ actions violated the law.
- Once the department of justice investigation is completed, the El Centro Police Department will conduct an internal investigation to determine if its officer acted according to police department policy.
