San Diego Police Shoot Suspect Reaching for Novelty Lighter

Authorities say the suspect appeared to reach for a gun-shaped lighter after crashing a stolen car during a pursuit.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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San Diego police released body camera footage showing an officer shooting a suspect who appeared to reach for what turned out to be a novelty cigarette lighter designed to look like a handgun. The incident occurred after a pursuit of a stolen vehicle that ended in a crash, with the suspect getting out of the car and making a motion toward the lighter on the ground.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges and risks police face when confronting suspects who may be armed, even with objects that only appear to be firearms. It also raises questions about police use of force protocols and the need for de-escalation training to avoid such confrontations.

The details

The pursuit began when a patrol officer spotted a stolen white 2005 Lexus and attempted to pull the driver over. The suspect, 39-year-old Edwaun Walter Thames, briefly stopped but then sped off, leading police on a chase that ended when the Lexus crashed. Thames exited the vehicle and dropped what appeared to be a handgun, which was actually a novelty cigarette lighter. An officer opened fire when Thames reached toward the object on the ground.

  • The pursuit began around 1:30 pm on January 22, 2026.
  • The crash and shooting occurred shortly after the pursuit started.

The players

Edwaun Walter Thames

A 39-year-old suspect who was driving a stolen Lexus and was shot by police after appearing to reach for what turned out to be a novelty lighter.

Officer Henry Ingram Jr.

A San Diego Police Department officer who opened fire on Thames after he appeared to reach for what looked like a gun.

San Diego Police Department

The law enforcement agency that released body camera footage and details about the shooting incident.

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What’s next

The San Diego Police Department says it will release more comprehensive video footage of the incident in the coming weeks, as required by California law.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for continued training and protocols to help police safely de-escalate confrontations, especially when suspects may be holding objects that only appear to be firearms. It also highlights the risks and split-second decisions officers face when confronting potentially armed suspects.