Knife-Wielding Man at Torrey Pines State Reserve Faces Mental Competency Hearing

A mental competency hearing will be held Feb. 27 for Charles Collins, who is charged with assault on a peace officer and assault with a deadly weapon.

Collins, 29, allegedly came at a ranger in Torrey Pines State Reserve with a knife on Dec. 13, 2012. The park ranger, an eight-year veteran of the state Department of Parks, shot Collins, who pleaded not guilty to the charges from a hospital bed four days later.

San Diego police Lt. Jorge Duran said the shooting took place along a trail in the park at approximately 2 p.m. A state ranger was responding to a call about a nude man when he came upon Collins inside a tent, the lieutenant added.   

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.   

Collins faces five years in prison if convicted.  

—City News Service contributed to this report.