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The man who was shot and killed by San Diego police last week after setting fire to a North Park sex shop and burning a police K-9 has been identified. Officials named him as 33-year-old Saul Sandoval Chavez. The officer who fired the fatal shots has been identified as SDPD Canine Unit Officer Kyle Lehr, according to SDPD Lt. Juan Marquez.
The incident began on September 16, 2026, when Chavez was seen smashing out car windows with a large chain on Utah Street. When police arrived, Chavez led officers on a foot pursuit before barricading himself inside the Adult Emporium on 30th Street, Marquez said. Once inside, officers saw Chavez carrying an incendiary device and flammable liquid. SDPD attempted to negotiate with him, but he refused to come out.
A police K-9 was sent in and was burned by Chavez on its neck and hind legs. Chavez then moved toward the front door of the business still carrying the incendiary device. That’s when Officer Lehr fired multiple rounds and struck him at least once, Marquez said. Chavez was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Three SDPD officers sustained minor burn injuries to their hands and were treated at the hospital. The K-9 was also treated for its injuries and has since been released. Officer Lehr has served with the San Diego Police Department for 10 years. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department will take over the investigation, as is standard when a shooting involves an officer from another local agency.
My thoughts: What stands out in this one is how many people and animals were put at risk before the situation reached its final moment. Officers negotiated, a K-9 was sent in and burned for its effort, three officers still ended up with burn injuries, and the standoff only ended once Chavez moved toward the door with the incendiary device still in hand. It’s a reminder that K-9 units are often the ones asked to close the distance in the most dangerous part of a standoff, well before officers themselves have to. This one ended with the dog recovering and being released, which is the outcome you hope for in a situation that could have gone a lot worse for everyone involved.
Source: NBC 7 San Diego
