NewsCalifornia News

Actions

Ex-San Diego deputy charged with murder in escapee shooting

Posted
and last updated

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A former San Diego County sheriff’s deputy has been charged with second-degree murder for shooting an escaping detainee.

The county district attorney's office says 23-year-old Aaron Russell was arrested Monday.

It's unclear if he has an attorney.

Prosecutors say Russell shot 36-year-old Nicholas Bils on May 1.

Police say Bils had been arrested for threatening a ranger with a golf club at Old Town San Diego State Park.

Police say he managed to free himself from the ranger's car after it was parked at a downtown jail.

Russell was nearby and opened fire at the fleeing Russell, who wasn't armed.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Saturday

12/06/2025

AM Clouds/PM Sun

54° / 40°

4%

Sunday

12/07/2025

Partly Cloudy

56° / 41°

7%

Monday

12/08/2025

Sunny

57° / 42°

10%

Tuesday

12/09/2025

Partly Cloudy

57° / 43°

6%

Wednesday

12/10/2025

Mostly Sunny

55° / 43°

6%

Thursday

12/11/2025

Sunny

56° / 43°

6%

Friday

12/12/2025

Sunny

60° / 45°

4%

Saturday

12/13/2025

Partly Cloudy

63° / 46°

2%