Knife-Wielding Man Deemed Incompetent to Stand Trial for Incident at Torrey Pines State Reserve

A man who was shot as he allegedly came at a ranger in Torrey Pines State Reserve with a knife is incompetent to stand trial and will be sent to a state mental hospital, a judge ruled today.

Charles Dustin Collins, 29, is charged with assault on a peace officer and assault with a deadly weapon.

After reviewing a doctor's report, Judge Joseph Brannigan found that Collins did not understand the charges against him nor assist his attorney at trial.

Collins will go to a state mental hospital for up to three years or until he regains his competency.

If criminal proceedings are reinstated and Collins is convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.

The shooting took place along a trail shortly after 2 p.m. last Dec. 13. A state ranger was responding to a call about a nude man when he came upon Collins inside a tent, San Diego police Lt. Jorge Duran said.

The ranger ordered Collins out of the tent and to show identification, prompting him to become verbally combative, Duran said.

The ranger called for backup, and another ranger arrived a short time later. At some point, Collins allegedly grabbed a knife and turned toward one of the rangers in a threatening manner.

Duran said one of the rangers fired a single shot that hit Collins in the torso.

—City News Service