Photo shows the ‘short barrel shotgun’ or SBS reportedly used by a suspect in an April 18 deputy involved shooting in Nipomo. The suspect was shot and killed by Sheriff’s deputies. Submitted photo
Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed an armed man in Nipomo, after being called to a domestic violence report.
According to Sheriff’s spokesman, Tony Cipolla, at 6:30 p.m. April 18, deputies responded to the 700 block of Hill St., Nipomo for a “family disturbance.”
“It was reported,” Cipolla said, “that an adult male was inside the apartment, threatening to kill his mother. The apartment was also shared with the suspect’s grandmother.”
When deputies arrived the man was in the doorway of the apartment but then retreated inside where he reportedly armed himself with a short barrel shotgun and “pointed it at deputies.”
Cipolla said at that point it became a “deputy-involved shooting.”
“During the deputy involved shooting,” Cipolla said, “the suspect fired his shotgun at deputies. The deputies returned fire, striking the suspect.”
Immediately, he added, the deputies started “life-saving measures,” but the man died at the scene.
No deputies were injured in the incident.
The suspect was identified as Joseph Munoz, 48 who had no known address but would often stay in Nipomo, Cipolla said.
Munoz has a long criminal history. He was previously convicted for felony domestic battery, felony DUI, felony possession of a controlled substance for sale, and had a felony conviction for “voluntary manslaughter,” Cipolla said.
He served 12 years in prison for the voluntary manslaughter charge.
The deputies involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the tragic incident. They are also receiving support services.
Cipolla released a still photo taken from body camera footage worn by one of the deputies. The photo shows the deputy pointing his weapon at a man in the doorway of the apartment and appears to be no more than five or so feet away.
The man is standing in shadow, so little detail can be made out but it appears that he is holding something in his hands and pointing it at the deputy.
The Sheriff’s Department also released a photo of the shotgun Munoz was holding. It is a pump action short barrel type with a pistol grip. That’s not technically a “shotgun” as a true shotgun is defined as a shoulder fired rifle with a stock used to brace against the recoil.
The gun’s overall length is less than 26 inches making it illegal under Federal Law, according to the website gunsmagazine.com (see: gunsmagazine.com/guns/shotguns/short-barreled-shotguns). It also has a barrel that is just 14 inches, which is also against the law.
According to Guns Magazine, “By definition, a ‘short-barreled shotgun’ or SBS is a shotgun having one or more barrels less than 18” in length and any weapon made from a shotgun [whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise] if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26”. The 26” rule is important, because according to the ATF, any weapon with an overall length of less than 26” is ‘concealable.’”
As a convicted felon, Munoz should not have been in possession of that gun.
Cipolla did not say whether Munoz’ mother and grandmother were injured in the incident, though there can be little doubt they were traumatized.
