Two deputies cleared for duty

By: JO MORELAND - Staff Writer | Thursday, August 4, 2005 10:52 PM PDT ∞

VISTA ---- Two deputies involved in one of three fatal shootings in Vista have been cleared to return to duty, Sheriff's Department officials said Thursday. Meanwhile, authorities released the name of a deputy involved in the most recent shooting.

Of the three deputies involved in the July 28 shooting of Sergio Garcia Vasquez, 32, John Spach and Nanette McMasters have been cleared to go back to work, said Capt. Rob Ahern, commander of the Vista Sheriff's Station.

Spach, who has been with the department eight years, also was involved in the May 15 shooting that killed Roman Torres, 24, at a Hillside Terrace apartment complex.

Torres had allegedly threatened to kill a neighbor, fired two shots from a handgun and later pointed the gun at the deputies when they arrived to investigate, officials said.

Bennett said that McMasters, a deputy of five years, didn't fire any shots during the July 28 fatal confrontation at a North Citrus Avenue home.

Vasquez allegedly threw a 10-pound dumbbell at Spach, bruising his arm. Spach tried to use pepper spray to stop Vasquez, authorities said.

When that didn't work, Bennett said, Spach and Deputy Shawn Aitken, a veteran of seven years, fired three shots, at least one of them fatal.

Also on Thursday, sheriff's homicide Lt. Tom Bennett released the name of the deputy involved in Monday's fatal shooting. Deputy Lewis "Lew" Schott, a veteran of nine years with the Sheriff's Department, killed Jesus Eduardo Manzo, 23. Manzo was wanted in a stolen vehicle investigation and Schott was also trying to determine whether Manzo was a documented gang member under Vista's new gang injunction, Bennett said.

Manzo was not a gang member, according to his family. Manzo is not listed in the injunction.

Bennett said Schott was working overtime Monday when the shooting occurred. A K-9 dog failed to stop Manzo while Schott was chasing him and Schott killed Manzo as he reached for what might have been a gun at his side, Bennett said.

He said Manzo didn't have a gun. A folded multipurpose tool with two knife blades was found in a nylon case in his clothing, the lieutenant said.

At the time of Manzo's shooting, four Vista deputies were already on the customary administrative leave following two earlier fatal shootings July 28 and 29.

Last Friday, Deputy Mark Ritchie, who joined the department five years ago, killed armed robbery suspect Jorge Ramirez, 26, on Lupine Hills Drive during a chase after a Circle K holdup.

Bennett said Ritchie fired when Ramirez reached for a possible gun in his clothing. No gun was found, but a knife was found in his clothing, the lieutenant said.

Contact staff writer Jo Moreland at (760) 740-3524 or jmoreland@nctimes.com.