Marine Shot, Killed By Police In California Desert

A Camp Pendleton marine left police no choice but to shoot him dead to end a dangerous altercation in the California desert on Saturday.

The marine was shot in the desert after refusing to stop when approached by police. Fox News reports he was approached by bike patrol officers around 2 am on Saturday and attempted to speed away. One officer partially climbed into the vehicle to attempt to stop it, but the marine drove off, striking the other officer.

“In the course of these events, fearing for their safety and the safety of others both officers discharged their weapons,” a Palm Springs Police Department statement said.

ABC News reports that the marine driving, Cpl. Allan DeVillena II, was struck by police fire and died at the scene. Another unidentified marine in the passenger seat was uninjured but was arrested on an unrelated misdemeanor warrant and for investigation of public intoxication.

Both DeVillena and the unidentified passenger were with the 1st Marine Logistics Group based in Camp Pendleton, and both were stationed at Twentynine Palms.

The marine shot in the desert, DeVillena, had served in Afghanistan and was only two months away from completing his four-year enlistment, according to his father. The father, Alan DeVillena, said the deceased marine’s family was on the way to Palm Springs to find out more information. The Marine Corps had notified him of his son’s death.

The officers who shot the marine in the California desert were placed on administrative leave pending department investigation. Both were treated and released from a local hospital. The officers found a stolen smartphone and identification in the car as well.