CARLSBAD – An 18-year Oceanside police veteran has been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and battery after authorities were called to his home late Sunday night, police said.
Archive stories: Lt. Shawn Murray:
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Lt. Shawn Murray was arrested after his ex-girlfriend reported that he choked and dragged her through his home on Flat Rock Street near Rock Ridge Road, said Carlsbad Lt. Kelly Cain.
The incident began late Sunday night and continued into early Monday morning. Police said the victim and Murray dated and were ending their relationship at the time.
Officers who went to the home said her throat was red, which led to his arrest, Cain said.
Murray was booked into the Vista jail on suspicion of domestic violence and battery and was free Tuesday after posting $25,000 bail.
Cain said there were no previous reports of domestic violence at the house and the woman declined medical treatment.
Oceanside police Sgt. Kelan Poorman said Murray has been taken off his normal duties as a lieutenant and has been assigned to do administrative work at a desk.
Murray oversaw the traffic division, school resource officers and neighborhood police officers in downtown Oceanside. He will remain doing administrative work pending the outcome of Carlsbad's investigation and the judicial process, Poorman said.
The case has not yet been presented to the District Attorney's Office for review, said spokesman Paul Levikow.
Oceanside police plan to conduct an internal investigation once Carlsbad has finished its investigation, Poorman said.
Murray also has a previous run-in with city officials.
In 2007, the lieutenant filed a complaint accusing Mayor Jim Wood, Police Chief Frank McCoy and others of violating various state and federal laws that harmed his career and denied him a promotion to captain.
In the 11-page claim, Murray accused the mayor and police chief of waging a long-term campaign to discredit him. He sought to be promoted immediately to captain and asked for $25,000 for each alleged violation of the Police Officer's Bill of Rights, in addition to other damages to be decided later. The claim is currently awaiting an opinion by an arbiter, which will then be voted on by the Oceanside City Council, said Murray's attorney, Donovan Jacobs, in an interview.
A decision is expected by early or mid October, he said. Depending on what is decided, the claim could turn into a lawsuit, he said.
Angelica Martinez:
(619) 293-1317; angelica.martinez@uniontrib.com
