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More North County news

Officers who shot suspect identified

UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

May 15, 2008

ESCONDIDO – The names of two officers who shot a suspected drunken driver after Escondido police say he displayed a gun have been released.

Officers John Mougier and Edward Varso shot David Charles Phillips, 44, of Escondido after he failed to pull over and led officers on a chase Friday night, said police Lt. Bob Benton.

Mougier has been on the force 23 years. Varso is a canine officer who has been with the department seven years.

Mougier spotted Phillips driving a black Nissan pickup erratically at Del Dios Highway and Valley Parkway just before 10 p.m. and tried to pull him over. Phillips fled, Benton said.

At Gamble Lane near Felicita Road, Phillips hit a parked truck and then drove over a steep embankment on the dead-end road as he tried to make a U-turn, Benton said. Both officers opened fire after Phillips pointed a gun at them from inside the truck, police said.

Phillips was hit several times. Benton declined to say whether Phillips fired at the officers or how many rounds the officers fired. Police found two loaded handguns in Phillips' truck.

Phillips, a convicted felon, is still in the hospital, Benton said. He will be charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, possession of methamphetamine, being under the influence of a controlled substance, felony drunken driving and other charges. He is expected to be arraigned in the hospital this afternoon.

Both officers are on routine administrative leave. The District Attorney's Office will investigate the shooting.

Staff writer Matthew Rodriguez contributed to this report.


Debbi Baker: (619) 293-1710; debbi.baker@uniontrib.com



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