Update - SDPD OIS – 4300 Block of Dawes Street, San Diego
May 15, 2025 – San Diego County Sheriff's Office officials report that they responded to an officer involved shooting that 
occurred in the afternoon of May 8, 2025, in the 4300 block of Dawes Street, in the city of San Diego.
On Thursday, May 8, 2025, at approximately 4:20 p.m., a witness notified San Diego Police Dispatch that there was a subject causing a disturbance and brandishing a weapon inside the Pacific Beach/Taylor Library, in the city of San Diego. The suspect was identified as a male adult, and the weapon was described as an axe. The suspect vandalized property inside the library and brandished the weapon at people before leaving the library.
At approximately 4:25 p.m., San Diego Police Officers arrived and contacted a male matching the suspect's description on the 4300 block of Dawes Street. The subject held a weapon resembling an axe. Several officers ordered the suspect to drop the weapon, but he failed to comply.
One San Diego Police Officer shot multiple rounds at the suspect, striking him.
Officers provided immediate medical aid and called for paramedics. Paramedics arrived and transported the suspect to a local hospital where he is expected to survive.
At the scene of the shooting Sheriff's Homicide Detectives recovered a weapon resembling an axe.
The officer who discharged his weapon has been identified as Dominic Bloemendaal. Officer Bloemendaal has been with the San Diego Police Department for seven years and is currently assigned to patrol at the Northern Division.
The suspect was identified as 54-year-old, William John Hanley. He is a current resident of San Diego County. Mr. Hanley is being charged with 245c PC, Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer and 69 PC, Resisting an Executive Officer.
To view the previous press release dated May 8, 2025, click here.
Per the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit was called to the scene to conduct the officer-involved-shooting investigation. At this stage of the investigation, the motivation and circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation. Detectives are currently gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The investigation and review process for officer-involved shootings are extremely thorough. When the Homicide Unit completes its investigation, it will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the officers bear any criminal liability for their actions. The San Diego Police Department will conduct an administrative investigation into the officers' discharge of their firearms.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Attorney’s Office will also be monitoring the investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 868-3200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Office
