DOJ Declines to Bring Charges Against SDPD Officers in 2022 Shooting

Attorney General's report finds officers acted in self-defense during fatal encounter.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:26pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered airsoft gun replica, its details and textures dramatically illuminated by a harsh flash against a black background, conceptually representing the tragic outcome of a police encounter involving a realistic-looking but non-lethal firearm.The DOJ's investigation into the fatal shooting of John Romero by SDPD officers exposes the challenges of policing encounters involving replicas of deadly weapons.San Diego Today

The California Department of Justice has concluded its review of the 2022 fatal officer-involved shooting of John Romero in San Diego and determined that criminal charges against the SDPD officers are not appropriate in this case. The report states the officers believed Romero had a real gun and acted in self-defense when they fatally shot him.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges around police use of force, transparency, and accountability, especially in incidents involving individuals with mental health issues or holding what appear to be firearms. The DOJ's findings under AB 1506 aim to provide understanding and build trust between law enforcement and the community.

The details

On December 8, 2022, SDPD officers responded to a 911 call of a man, later identified as John Romero, holding a gun to his head. Romero fled on a bicycle, and officers found him in a driveway, where he continued to point the gun at his own head and ignored commands to drop it. When Romero began walking towards the officers, one officer fired a beanbag shotgun, knocking Romero to the ground. Romero then ducked behind a car, stood up, and started to raise what the officers believed was a handgun, at which point he was fatally shot. It was later determined that Romero's 'gun' was actually an airsoft replica with no distinguishing markings.

  • On December 8, 2022, SDPD officers responded to the 911 call involving John Romero.
  • In April 2026, the California Department of Justice released its final report on the incident.

The players

John Romero

A San Diego resident who was fatally shot by SDPD officers in 2022 after they believed he was holding a real gun, which was later determined to be an airsoft replica.

Rob Bonta

The California Attorney General who released the Department of Justice report on the 2022 shooting of John Romero.

San Diego Police Department (SDPD)

The law enforcement agency whose officers were involved in the 2022 fatal shooting of John Romero.

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What they’re saying

“Loss of life is always a tragedy. AB 1506 is a critical transparency and accountability tool, and our hope for this report is to provide some understanding and aid in advancing towards a safer California for all.”

— Rob Bonta, California Attorney General

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges around police use of force, transparency, and accountability, especially in incidents involving individuals with mental health issues or holding what appear to be firearms. The DOJ's findings aim to provide understanding, but questions remain about how to build greater trust between law enforcement and the community.