Man killed in gunfire with Costa Mesa police was wanted in 2 states

A man killed in an exchange of gunfire with Costa Mesa police this week was wanted in two states on allegations including child sexual abuse and assault with a deadly weapon, authorities said.

On Thursday, police identified Julius L. Pinson, 48, of Costa Mesa as the man shot two days earlier at an apartment in the 3000 block of Jeffrey Drive.

Two officers were serving arrest warrants on Pinson at about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday when he became violent and brandished a handgun, according to a statement from police.

Pinson and an officer fired their weapons, the statement said. Pinson died at the scene from a gunshot wound, authorities said. The two officers suffered minor injuries, the nature of which was not disclosed.

Two of the arrest warrants stemmed from 2011 cases in New Mexico, where Pinson was wanted on suspicion of sexual penetration of a minor and embezzlement, police said.

He also was wanted in Texas in another embezzlement case and on suspicion of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, police said.

Authorities did not provide details on any of the allegations.

As is standard practice in Orange County, the district attorney’s office is investigating to determine whether Tuesday’s shooting was justified.