Watch CBS News

More Protests, New Questions Emerge In Shooting Of Unarmed Black Man In El Cajon

EL CAJON (CBSLA.com)  —  More protests and new questions emerged Wednesday in the fatal police shooting of an unarmed black man in El Cajon.

A midday protest in El Cajon brought a few hundred to the streets, people who want answers from police about Tuesday's shooting death of the man behind a fast-food restaurant.

Police said it appeared the dead man was pulling a weapon on them. But he was unarmed.

CBS2's Michele Gile reported from the protest. She also spoke to people who witnessed the shooting.

The march started at the police department, where mostly peaceful demonstrators blocked intersections.

Drivers, for the most part, took it in stride, except for several trying to get to work.

El Cajon police acknowledge Alfred Olongo, 30, was not armed when he was shot and killed.

However, the chief also said Olongo disobeyed commands and pulled something out of his pocket and held it in a "shooting position."

It appears Olongo aimed a vape pipe at officers. One could be seen on the ground near where Olongo went down.

Olongo was described his family as mentally ill. His sister called 911 Tuesday when she said he began acting erratic.

While one officer used a stun gun, the other opened fired. The department has a unit to deal with people who are mentally ll, but they were on another call at the time of the incident, officials said.

The mayor said he's seen video of the shooting and it shows a distraught man. He called it a tragedy for all involved.

"The family is devastated," said Mayor Bill Wells. "The person who lost his life is devastated. Even the police officers involved in the shooting are devastated. And certainly the community is devastated. But this community is a strong community. This is the type of community that doesn't see these types of problems happen very often."

The mayor said he encouraged citizens to protest and express their First Amendment rights but wants to ask that every protest remain peaceful.

The police involved in the shooting have 21 years of experience on the force, Gile reported.

KCAL9's Stacey Butler picked up the story at night where another protest was held.

Thousands blocked traffic in a march towards the police department.

One protester was knocked down by a car.

The marchers chanted, "No justice, no peace, no racist police!"

Police said they have cellphone video of the incident but wouldn't release it until their investigation is over. They said that could take months.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.