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A San Diego police officer has been suspended without pay after he reportedly mocked the memorial of a man he shot to death.
Officer Jonathon Lucas, who was involved in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Leonardo Ibarra in June, is accused of plastering laughing emojis on a photo of a memorial site set up by Ibarra's family and friends. He then posted the photo on social media, says San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit.
"The officer’s alleged actions fall short of the high standards I and our community have for the San Diego Police Department," Nisleit said on Tuesday. "I want to apologize to the Ibarra family. This unnecessary act reopens wounds during an already painful time."
Lucas will remain on suspension until an investigation into his actions has been completed, Nisleit said.
"The penalty could be from a suspension all the way to a termination," he added. "And again, I will make that determination upon the conclusion of the investigation."
According to Gabriela Gudino, the mother of Ibarra's two children, he was shot by police 11 times. However San Diego police say the number of shots is still being investigated.
Read the full report on NBC San Diego.