PISMO BEACH, Calif. — Deliberations began Friday in the trial of Charles Ammons, 48, accused of attempting to murder a local police officer during a traffic stop in April 2022. The incident has gripped the coastal community, drawing renewed attention to the risks law enforcement officers face.
Ammons, who was reportedly intoxicated at the time, had been pulled over by Pismo Beach Police Officer Chris Siglin for a vehicle code violation on Pomeroy Avenue. What should have been a routine stop escalated dramatically when Ammons allegedly aimed a semiautomatic pistol at Siglin and pulled the trigger. Fortunately, the firearm did not discharge due to improperly loaded ammunition.
At the time of the incident, authorities reported that Ammons’ blood alcohol content was .218 percent, more than twice the legal driving limit. This marked his third DUI offense, with prior arrests in 2013 and 2016. Additionally, charges from an earlier arrest in January 2022 also loomed over him, including public intoxication and possession of a concealed, unregistered firearm.
The confrontation between Ammons and Officer Siglin intensified when, after the failed shooting attempt, both men struggled and fell into the back of Ammons’ van. The altercation continued until Siglin managed to open the van door, coincidentally as an off-duty law enforcement officer approached the scene.
David Saldivar, a visiting military police officer from Fresno who witnessed the incident, quickly intervened. Saldivar, who was dining nearby with his son, recounted the chaotic scene and his snap decision to aid Officer Siglin.
The legal implications for Ammons are severe, with charges including attempted murder of a police officer and assault on a peace officer with a semiautomatic weapon, among other firearm-related offenses.
During the trial, Christina DiEdoardo, the defense attorney, argued that Ammons did not intend to kill the officer and suggested that the sound mistaken for a trigger pull could have been unrelated noise from the scuffle. This assertion places a critical aspect of the prosecution’s case—the intent to kill—under scrutiny.
The case has sparked discussions in Pismo Beach and beyond about the dangers of policing, especially in situations involving armed and intoxicated individuals. With the jury now deliberating, the community awaits a verdict that will likely resonate far beyond the boundaries of this small city. The outcome may well set a precedent for how similar cases are judged and increase calls for comprehensive reviews of procedures during traffic stops and other routine police interactions.
As the trial concludes, the question of how law enforcement interacts with armed individuals under the influence remains a poignant concern, emphasizing the need for continuous training and policy evaluation to protect both the public and police officers dedicated to maintaining public safety.