Deputy Gives an Account of Vista Shoot-Out

It was only after Sheriff’s Deputy James Bennetts saw his bullet-riddled patrol car that he realized the extent to which his life had been threatened during a shoot-out in Vista.

“It felt like getting hit with a baseball bat,” said Bennetts at a press conference Friday, describing being hit by bullets allegedly fired by Mark Raymond Phelps, who was arrested Sunday after a high-speed car chase and another exchange of gunfire.

“But never at any point did I think I was going to die,” Bennetts said. “That’s the result of the mental training we get for situations like this. Besides, there was no time to worry about dying. It was only after seeing my car did I realize there was more to it, that it could have been worse,” said Bennetts, whose right arm was in a sling.

On July 31, Bennetts was on patrol in northern Vista when he spotted Phelps driving his red Chevrolet Corvette about 6 p.m. There was an outstanding warrant for Phelps for failing to make a court appearance regarding an incident in which he allegedly fired a rifle at a car driven by his wife.

Reports of Shoot-Out

Reports say Phelps sped away from Bennetts, turned into a small side street, stopped his car and waited in ambush for Bennetts to arrive. Phelps then allegedly fired a .45-caliber automatic weapon; Bennetts countered with his service revolver.

Bennetts was struck twice: one bullet lodged near his right shoulder, the other was stopped by his protective vest.

Bennetts disagreed with those who suggest that officers should use automatic weapons. He said he was comfortable with his service revolver, which fires .357-caliber ammunition.

“I’m really not into guns,” Bennetts said. “I think my revolver is adequate. It does the job. Considering what I was up against, the only thing you can counter with is a machine gun. I don’t think it’s necessary for deputies to carry machine guns.”

He said the shooting has not caused him to doubt his choice of profession.

“I’ve wanted to be a law enforcement officer since my late teens,” Bennetts said. “This doesn’t change that. I’m looking forward to going back to work in a couple of months.”

Bennetts’ wife, Louisa, who admits she was scared upon first hearing that her husband had been shot, supported her husband’s decision to stay in law enforcement: “I don’t expect any changes. He’s very happy with his job.”