Justin Teague Sentenced to 34 Years to Life for Shooting at Officers in University City

A man who opened fire on a group of San Diego police officers during a foot chase in University City was sentenced Monday to 34 years to life in state prison.

Justin Ray Teague, 40, pleaded guilty to three counts of attempted murder of a police officer and an allegation of discharging a firearm for the Aug. 11, 2023, shooting.

None of the officers were struck, but Teague was shot and wounded by one of the officers.

Police said officers were investigating a report that day that two men were breaking into vehicles at about 3 a.m. in an underground parking structure at a Lebon Drive apartment complex.

Officers searched the area, finding Teague and a second suspect inside a stolen Ford F-150, according to sheriff’s Lt. Joseph Jarjura. Teague and the other man ran off in different directions.

While officers gave chase, Teague turned and fired. San Diego police Officer Joseph Lee then returned fire, striking Teague several times.

The 2023 shooting was the second time that Teague was wounded by police gunfire in San Diego.

On the evening of Nov. 8, 2003, Teague — then 19 years old and the subject of two outstanding arrest warrants — rammed an SDPD cruiser with a stolen car at a gas station at Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and Kearny Villa Road in Kearny Mesa, then accelerated toward an officer who was on foot, according to SDPD officials.

That lawman and a pair of his colleagues responded by opening fire on the suspect, leaving him with two gunshot wounds to his upper body.

Despite his injuries, Teague drove off, fleeing for a short distance before crashing the vehicle into a retaining wall alongside state Route 163, where he was taken into custody, SDPD Sgt. Jorge Duran said at the time.

City News Service contributed to this article.