The family of a man killed by a San Diego Sheriff's Deputy wants that deputy fired and prosecuted. The family of Jonathon Coronel, their lawyer, and the National Action Network discussed their meeting with the Captain of Vista's SDSO station Thursday, calling for Deputy Christopher Villanueva's removal.
"We want him fired, we want him very clearly prosecuted and sent to prison," said Rev. Shane Harris with the National Action Network.
Harris said after the meeting, the Captain said he does not believe Coronel was approaching the officer brashly. There are two versions of how the 24-year-old was shot in the backyard of a home on July 5.
The Sheriff's Department says Coronel had been crouching and turned toward the deputy with his hand concealed. That prompted Villanueva to shoot. But, Coronel's uncle, Diego Coronel, says his nephew was on the ground with his hands up when he was shot. He even took his shirt off to show deputies that he was unarmed.
Villanueva has been with SDSO for one year. Prior, he was an Escondido Police Officer for two years. July's shooting is the second fatal shooting Villanueva has been involved in in less than a year.The death has been ruled a homicide by the medical examiner's office, and the investigation continues.
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