An autopsy shows a Central Coast man fatally wounded in a confrontation with police died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
Preliminary autopsy results were released for Michael Giles. Lompoc Police say he was armed with a knife at the time of the confrontation.
Officers were called to the area of H Street in Lompoc Monday morning by reports of a possibly intoxicated man armed with a knife. They encountered Giles, who fled on foot for a few blocks. After losing sight of him, he was spotted behind some bushes. Officers say the 27 year old man then charged at them armed with a knife, and was fatally wounded.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is handing the investigation. Detectives say they’ve talked to multiple witnesses and collected surveillance video from businesses in the area.
Police say Giles had a criminal record, with past arrests for robbery and vandalism.
