Camp Pendleton Marine Killed By Police Outside Palm Springs Bar
PALM SPRINGS (CBSLA.com) — A Camp Pendleton Marine was shot and killed by police officers in Palm Springs after he allegedly assaulted them with his car, according to police Chief Al Franz.
KNX 1070's Tom Reopelle says the Marine was reportedly out celebrating the Corps' anniversary when the shooting occurred.
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While the deceased's name was initially withheld while family members were being notified, the Desert Sun identified the Marine as Cpl. Allen DeVillena, 22, of San Jose.
The incident happened around 2 a.m. Saturday when two officers on bicycles were conducting a routine patrol near several bars.
Chief Franz said the cops saw two men walking into a parking garage at 275 South Indian Canyon Drive and recognized one of the men from an earlier public intoxication incident.
Franz said, "The two men began yelling derogatory comments at the officers, and (the officers) dismounted and approached" the men inside a black Chrysler 300.
The police chief said one of the officers repeatedly asked DeVillena to turn off the car, but the driver ignored the order and started to turn the car around inside the garage.
An officer climbed into the passenger's side window to stop the car, but the suspect accelerated toward the second officer and hit him.
Franz said the officers shot at the driver to protect themselves and other people.
DeVillena died at the scene.
The other suspect, also a Marine, was arrested in connection to an unrelated matter and for public drunkenness, but was later released.
Both officers were treated at the hospital for unknown injuries.
DeVillena was reportedly with the 1st Marine Logistics Group at Camp Pendleton, according to a public affairs officer.
Allen DeVillena, the victim's father, told the Desert Sun that his son went out on the town simply to celebrate the 237th anniversary of the Marine Corps, which happened to occur on Veterans Day weekend.
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