Man Shot Multiple Times Still Tries to Flee California Police

Wild footage out of Escondido shows a knife-wielding man attempting to walk away after being shot multiple times by police, sparking major questions about threat perception, officer decision-making, and mental crisis response.

Here’s what went down 👇

Read this if you’re tracking police shootings, officer-involved investigations, or use-of-force standards in California.

📍 What Just Happened

Police say 54-year-old Juan Ramos was reported acting erratically in the middle of traffic, holding a knife and approaching cars. When officers confronted him, they say he ran at a detective with the knife, prompting them to open fire.

Despite being struck multiple times, investigators say Ramos got back up and ran toward uniformed officers again, leading to a second burst of gunfire.

He survived surgery and is expected to live.

🎥 What the Footage Shows

Video from the scene shows Ramos walking in traffic with a knife as officers surround him with weapons drawn, shouting at him to drop it.

Moments later, officers fire. Ramos collapses, stands back up, and tries to move again,  even with visible gunshot wounds,  before more shots bring him down for good.

A witness described it as “like a movie,” claiming Ramos “kept getting back up” after every shot.

⚔️ Competing Narratives

• Police version: • Ramos ignored repeated commands • He ran toward a detective with a knife • Officers feared immediate threat and responded with lethal force • Ramos continued holding the knife, preventing officers from providing aid • He allegedly made comments suggesting he wanted officers to shoot him

Civilian witness: Says the scene unfolded rapidly, with officers opening fire as Ramos stood in the street and continued moving despite being hit.

Legal status: Ramos is expected to face assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon.

🧠 Why It Matters

This incident was highly unusual, involving suicide-by-cop comments, repeated volleys, a knife instead of a firearm, and a suspect rising.

California’s evolving standards on de-escalation, lethal force necessity, and mental health responses ensure this case will face intense scrutiny today.

🧾 The Bottom Line

With SDPD Homicide, the District Attorney, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office all monitoring the investigation, this shooting is about to become a major test case for how California evaluates officer force when a suspect appears determined,  even after being shot, to keep advancing with a deadly weapon.