The driver's-side window of an SUV was shattered by at least one bullet. The Orange County Sheriff's Dept. says Marine Sergeant Manny Loggins was shot inside his vehicle in front of his 9- and 14-year-old daughters seated in the back.
"Here to explain and not to defend: The perceived threat in the deputy's mind that the girls lives would be in danger if he were allowed to leave," said Jim Amormino, a spokesman for the sheriff's department.
The department alleges the Loggins, 31, crashed his SUV through a gate at San Clemente High School before 5 a.m. Tuesday. An Orange County Sheriff's deputy parked nearby quickly pulled up and called for backup.
"All during this time the deputy is giving him a set of commands which he is ignoring," said Amormino.
Investigators allege Loggins then walked to the athletic field where he stayed for up to five minutes. Loggins then returned to his SUV, ignoring the commands of the deputy, who now had his gun drawn.
"Because of the irrational behavior of Mr. Loggins, his failure to obey commands, the threat perceived by the deputy was for the safety of the children," said Amormino.
Authorities are not saying how many times the deputy fired but confirm Loggins did not have a weapon.
The entire incident was caught on the patrol car's dashboard camera. Officials say the deputy is a 15-year veteran of the department.
According to Camp Pendleton, Loggins enlisted in the Marines in 1998, serving as a transportation management specialist. He was not deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.
Officials say Loggins until recently was enrolled in a night and weekend vocational nursing program at Stanbridge College in Irvine.
The college released a statement saying: "Our condolences go out to his family, especially his wife and children, as well as to his classmates, friends and colleagues," wrote Yasith Weerasuriya, Stanbridge College president.
The Orange County District Attorney's Office is investigating the shooting, which is standard procedure for any deputy-involved shooting.
