Probationer Back in Custody After Leaving the Hospital

A probationer who was shot last week after he allegedly pulled a fake handgun on a San Diego police officer in Mira Mesa is in custody after leaving , where he was being treated for a bullet wound to the chest.

Robert McBride Jr., 22, reportedly walked out of the hospital around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, according to police. Officers searched the immediate area for McBride.

According to correspondence overheard on police scanners, the probationer was picked up by police at his grandparents' house in Mid-City at approximately 8:15 p.m.

On Jan. 26, McBride allegedly pulled an object that appeared to be a gun during a confrontation with a San Diego police officer. Sgt. Robert Wills first contacted McBride after seeing him near a row of cars in a retail parking lot at Camino Ruiz and Mira Mesa Boulevard. When Wills asked McBride for identification, he started to hand over his wallet but then ran off, according to police.

Wills chased the probationer until he stopped, turned around and ran back toward the officer while allegedly pulling out what appeared to be a handgun from his waistband, according to police. Fearing for his life, Wills, a 21-year department veteran, opened fire, according to police.

McBride was expected to be booked into county jail on suspicion of exhibiting an imitation firearm in a threatening manner and probation violation upon his recovery.

City News Service contributed to this report.