Police shoot Marine to death in Calif. desert

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. Police say they had no choice but to shoot and kill a Camp Pendleton Marine after he refused to pull over, drove into one officer, and tried to drive off with another officer hanging halfway out of his car window.

The Marine repeatedly ignored orders to stop after being approached by officers on bike patrol around 2 a.m. Saturday, the Palm Springs Police Department said in a statement Monday.

One of the officers partially climbed into the passenger window to stop the car, but the Marine accelerated, striking the other officer, the department said. The Marine kept driving with the officer hanging out of the window until the car crashed near the garage exit, it said.

Both officers were treated for injuries at a hospital and released. They have been placed on administrative leave while the department investigates.

The Marine died at the scene and the lone passenger, another Marine, was not injured, authorities said.

"In the course of these events, fearing for their safety and the safety of others both officers discharged their weapons," the statement said.

The Desert Sun identified the Marine who was shot as Cpl. Allan DeVillena II and said his family contacted the newspaper.

Police said authorities later found a smartphone in the car that was reported stolen by someone whose identification card was found in the Marine's pants pocket.

The lone passenger was arrested for investigation of public intoxication and for an unrelated misdemeanor warrant then released. Police did not release his name.

DeVillena's father, Alan DeVillena, told the newspaper his son and the passenger had gone out to celebrate the 237th birthday of the Marine Corps, which was Saturday.

The father said the family was headed to Palm Springs to find out what had happened after being notified of his son's death by the Marine Corps.

The newspaper reported both Marines were with the 1st Marine Logistics Group based in Camp Pendleton, but the men were stationed at Twentynine Palms.

Marine Corps officials could not be immediately reached for comment Monday, when many offices were closed for Veterans Day.

DeVillena said his son served in Afghanistan and was due to finish his four-year enlistment in about two months. He said he planned to attend college.

"He was looking to get into audio engineering," DeVillena told the newspaper. "He wanted to get into recording. He wrote a lot. He had a passion for music."

[BIGSHEA408]

AJ was my dear good friend for many years. A VERY respectful Marine & from speaking with eye witnesses, the story we have all read on here is the police interpretation & what they want you to know. What is being said transpired is a blatant cover-up for using excessive force. RIP AJ we love & miss you bro.

[striver07]

What the hell is wrong with you? You're an idiot if you truly believe what you're saying here.

[tnc68]

You two idiots scare the hell out of me. You'll be the next ones to pick up a gun and do something insane. You don't think a precious Marine is capable of breaking the law? Running down a police officer is fine in your book? Right, what's a little alcohol behind the wheel. Your a couple of a$$h@les

[Joesschmoes]

Those police should suffer the same fate as the marine. Stupidity IS NOT justification to kill someone. This act was pure unadulterated murder. What was the marine really guilty of? Driving while intoxicated at best? Oh Yeah, let's kill him. How bout calling in his license plate and tracking him down in a non confrontational matter. I hope you cops are happy killing a real hero.

[homelessgdog]

It is a crime to drive while be intoxicated. Should they have shot and killed him? I recall two or three yrs ago in Playa Del Rey a Community College football play who was butt naked was also killed instead of calling in the troops and talking the dude and taking him in. He was on drugs. So what. Bumm rush the dude tackle him, cuff him, and he can sleep it off. Nope they might have thought his hog was a desert eagle or something? Radio's are a great thing. You can keep two or three steps ahead of someone. Call for back up? Nope. Shooting someone is a easier solution for most cops. They were in the desert for god's sake. very little population around.

[striver07]

What the hell is wrong with the people commenting on this site? He already hit one person, another officer tried to stop him without killing him, which is why the officer was hanging out of the car as it was driving off. The stupid marine hit him, and then tried to escape. This guy got himself killed, and if you try to defend him then you are no better than this idiot marine.