San Diego Police Rescue and Then Shoot and Kill Man Who Fell From Gay Pride Cruise

Steven Paul Hirschfield, 37, apparently either fell or jumped from a Gay Cruise charter boat in the San Diego Harbor when he was spotted and rescued by police. It would have been just another lucky rescue except for the fact that within minutes Hirschfield was dead from a gunshot wound to the chest. The police insist that Hirschfield suddenly and without provocation started wrestling with one officer, hit him with his taser, and grabbed for his gun.

Hirschfield is from Los Angeles and allegedly grabbed the taser and but did not fire it into the officer. Instead, he reportedly used it to hit the officer before trying for his gun.

The district attorney is conducting an investigation, though these boats usually lack the type of dash cam devices that are so useful in cruiser incidents. It is another reason why live taping should be expanded for all interrogations and field units. It would immediately put to rest any suspicions or allegations against the officers in a case that is likely to be controversial in this community.

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