A Dec. 27 preliminary hearing has been set for a man who was wounded by police after he allegedly pointed a rifle at officers near his ex-girlfriend’s home in Paradise Hills.
A San Diego Superior Court judge has found Martin Lee Girdner, 54, mentally competent after his attorney raised a doubt about his mental fitness. The hearing date was set Nov. 22 after he appeared before another judge.
Girdner is charged with four counts of assaulting San Diego Police officers by pointing a firearm at them on Feb. 14 and two counts of discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail without bail.
Girdner was wounded in the torso by police and he was taken to a hospital where he underwent surgery to remove a bullet. He was arraigned in his hospital room on Feb. 26 by a judge and his mother was present, according to court records.
Girdner’s ex-girlfriend called police at 1 p.m. to say she had left her house after Girdner showed up. Her neighbors called 911 after several shots were fired. A SWAT team responded and the Paradise Hills Elementary School was locked down. Neighbors were also evacuated.
He is accused of assault on police officers who were in performance of their duties. Three officers shot back. He surrendered after he was wounded.
