Nicholas Nicky Bils, 36, of San Diego died on May 1, 2020, after being shot while being transported near the downtown San Diego jail. He had been arrested after allegedly threatening park rangers at Old Town State Park with a golf club; during transport he partially escaped his handcuffs and ran from the California State Parks officer’s car. Former San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Russell fired four shots, striking Bils in the back, arm, and thigh, and Bils died of his wounds.

Russell resigned from the sheriff’s department shortly after the shooting and was charged by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office with second-degree murder. Bils’ family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against San Diego County, alleging excessive force.

What details or context about this transport and the moments before the shooting might help clarify what happened?