An officer- involved shooting in El Centro Thursday morning.

According to a press release from the City of El Centro, officers responded to a call reporting a theft at a business in the 1800 block of South Imperial Avenue at about 6:09 a.m. Thursday. Initial reports were that the suspect left the business and was being followed by the caller. Officers located the suspect fleeing westbound on Ocotillo Drive and noticed that he was carrying a brick in his hand. The suspect was contacted in the 1900 block of Ocotillo Drive and officers told him to stop and drop the brick. The suspect did not comply with the orders, turned toward the officers, and attempted to assault one of the officers with the brick. Officers than fired at the suspect, striking him and stopping the assault. Medical aid was provided by officers and paramedics from the El Centro Fire Department and AMR Ambulance attendants. The suspect was taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to the wounds. The suspect has so far has only been identified as a 31-year-old man residing in El Centro. 

El Centro Police Chief Robert Sawyer said, " It is of the upmost importance a comprehensive investigation is conducted. Due to the complexity and nature of these situations, these investigations can take a substantial amount of time to complete. We will release more information as it becomes available". 

The California Department of Justice has been contacted pursuant to AB 1506 and the DOJ's California Police Shooting Investigation Team is conducting the investigation and will independently review this officer-involved shooting.