Officer Involved Shootings Spike in September

Investigations are underway to determine whether law enforcement officers shot and killed three men in self-defense.

The unrelated incidents happened between Sept. 1-7.

The most recent happened Saturday afternoon on Ventura Avenue near Ventura.

A deputy, responding to a call about a man in traffic, said she was punched in the face and knocked to the ground by a man who went for her weapon.

Sgt. Eric Buschow said 21-year-old Devon Costa of Simi Valley died at the hospital.
The officer was treated for minor injuries.

The day before, Sept. 6 two Port Hueneme police officers shot and killed 53-year-old Michael Deluca of Thousand Oaks.

Some people said he was a boxer and bodyguard who lived in his car.

He had just crashed his pickup truck on the grass near near the pier parking lot. Police said he told them he had a gun. They also said they tried to use a Tazer first.

On Sunday Sept. 1 Santa Barbara police shot and killed 46-year-old Brian Tacadena on De La Vina Street.

Officers said he had a knife.

Friends and relatives visiting a memorial on the sidewalk where Tacadena died said it was upsetting to hear about three officer involved shooting in seven days. They said they want police to explain their procedures before another person is killed by police. Friends said they are planning to hold a vigil for Tacadena this Sunday at the Santa Barbara Courthouse on Anacapa Street from 6 to 7:30 p.m.