Reporter

Teri Figueroa

Teri Figueroa is a veteran journalist who covers crime, courts and breaking news for The San Diego Union-Tribune. During her career, Figueroa has written about massive wildfires, murder trials and high-profile criminal cases, as well as military war crime cases and active shooter incidents. She was a lead writer on the Union-Tribune's award-winning "72 Hours" project spotlighting the region's mental illness crisis. Figueroa is a native Californian, a San Diego State University graduate and has won several journalism awards for her work.

Navy boats wrap an orange boom around the crash site to contain the debris field and limit fuel spill exposure after a Navy plane crashed into San Diego Bay Wednesday. (Denis Poroy / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Bote pesquero rescata a los aviadores después de que un jet de la Marina se estrellara en la bahía de San Diego

February 12, 2025 at 8:18 p.m.

El jet se estrelló en la bahía de San Diego cerca de Shelter Island, y los dos aviadores que se eyectaron del avión fueron recogidos por un bote pesquero cercano.

Police investigating after body found in dirt lot in north Oceanside

February 12, 2025 at 4:53 p.m.

The victim was found dead early Tuesday afternoon on Foussat Road north of state Route 76

Meki Gaono, 36, with Deputy Public Defender Jimmy Rodriguez in Superior Court in downtown San Diego on Tuesday. (Ariana Drehsler / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Hombre que mató a un oficial de policía de Oceanside en 2006 recibe nueva sentencia después de cambio en la ley

February 12, 2025 at 4:38 p.m.

Meki Gaono tenía 17 años cuando mató al oficial Dan Bessant, de 25 años.

Fishing boat rescues aviators after Navy jet crashes into San Diego Bay

February 12, 2025 at 9:14 p.m.

The aircrew had been executing a "go around" maneuver at NAS North Island when they ejected

Man who gunned down Oceanside police officer in 2006 resentenced after change in law

February 11, 2025 at 6:56 p.m.

Meki Gaono was 17 when he killed Officer Dan Bessant, 25. His case got a fresh look under new state laws

CalFire firefighter Quinn McManus uses a chainsaw as he and a group of fellow firefighters work to make a fire break in an effort to contain a brushfire on a hillside above Camino Del Norte in Rancho Bernardo on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Autoridades dicen que tres incendios en San Diego comenzaron en campamentos de personas sin hogar

February 5, 2025 at 7:34 p.m.

Los incendios ocurrieron en Mission Valley, Rancho Bernardo y La Jolla durante un período de tres días en enero

A handcuffed Jacqueline Ma walks into the courtroom at the South Bay Courthouse in Chula Vista on Dec. 12, 2023. She was in court for her preliminary hearing. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Former San Diego County Teacher of the Year pleads guilty to sex crimes with sixth-grader

February 5, 2025 at 5:19 p.m.

Jacqueline Ma, who taught elementary school in National City, is expected to be sentenced to 30 years to life in prison

San Diego Central Courthouse seen on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Man convicted of decades-old sexual assault in Pacific Beach alley gets 15 years to life

February 6, 2025 at 9:21 a.m.

Advances in DNA testing helped authorities solve cold case, San Diego County District Attorney's Office says

Woman accused of setting fire to downtown Oceanside movie theater

February 5, 2025 at 10:13 a.m.

The Jan. 29 fire in a drainage pipe at the Regal Oceanside on Mission Avenue caused about $10,000 damage, police said

Gary Snavely (Courtesy San Diego SAFE Task Force)

Pederasta considerado depredador sexual violento podría ser colocado en Julian

February 4, 2025 at 3:21 p.m.

Audiencia judicial programada para el 7 de marzo respecto a la propuesta

Authorities say three San Diego fires started in homeless encampments

February 3, 2025 at 5:59 p.m.

The fires were in Mission Valley, Rancho Bernardo and La Jolla over a three-day stretch in January during Santa Ana conditions

Child molester deemed sexually violent predator could be placed in Julian

February 3, 2025 at 4:51 p.m.

March 7 court hearing slated regarding proposal to place Gary Snavely in home on Wynola Road

A large gathering of protestors at National City’s Highland Avenue in San Diego County on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025 demonstrated against anti-immigrant policies towards Mexicans living and working in the US and San Diego as three hundred marches and waved Mexican flags in of their pride of being Mexican, their families and against racism, as the Trump istration as geared up to do mass deportations since he took office on Jan. 20th. (Carlos Moreno / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Cientos protestan contra los planes de deportación masiva de Trump en el condado de San Diego

February 3, 2025 at 8:56 a.m.

Las personas se agolparon en las calles de National City y Vista en apoyo a las comunidades inmigrantes.

A San Diego Fire-Rescue Department helicopter drops water on a hot spot from a fire near Gilman Drive and Via Alicante in La Jolla on Jan. 23. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

El condado busca comprar un segundo helicóptero para misiones nocturnas mientras revisa su respuesta ante incendios

February 2, 2025 at 11:11 a.m.

El condado de San Diego también está considerando la compra de más cisternas de agua

A large gathering of protestors demonstrated against anti-immigrant policies towards Mexicans living and working in the US at National City’s Highland Avenue on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Carlos Moreno / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Hundreds protest Trump’s mass deportation plans in San Diego County

February 1, 2025 at 2:16 p.m.

People crowded onto National City and Vista streets Friday in of immigrant communities

CalFire Fire Captain Nick Crane, from CalFire San Diego Crew 1, hoses water as he and firefighters work to contain a brushfire on a hillside above Camino Del Norte in Rancho Bernardo on Jan. 22. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Arrest made in Rancho Bernardo fire that started at homeless encampment

February 4, 2025 at 11:54 a.m.

San Diego Fire-Rescue is still trying to determine the cause of the Center fire, which broke out at a homeless encampment in Rancho Bernardo on Jan. 22.

A fire engine drives past a burning hillside on Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades after the Palisades fire ripped through the area on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)

Crews douse fires in Oceanside movie theater, tire shop

January 30, 2025 at 5:09 p.m.

Officials say fires in buildings less than a half-mile apart believed unrelated: electrical suspected at tire shop, arson at movie theater

People coming and going at the Central Courthouse in Downtown on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

El juez rechaza devolver a un depredador sexual violento al hospital estatal

January 29, 2025 at 8:31 a.m.

Herman Smith puede regresar a su hogar en Jacumba

County looking to buy second helicopter for night missions as it takes hard look at fire response

January 29, 2025 at 9:47 a.m.

San Diego County also looking at buying more water tenders and wants to delve into wildfire preparedness across agencies

Judge declines to return sexually violent predator to state hospital

January 28, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Herman Smith can return to Jacumba home, but another sexually violent predator living there must vacate.

Local residents Debbie O’Neill., left, and her husband Jon Dummer right, along with J.P. Theberge look over approximately 39 acres of land that a developer wants to build into a residential community in Harmony Grove. The residents oppose the proposed development due to the single two-lane entry and exit road into the community. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

La lucha por el proyecto de viviendas de Harmony Grove renueva preocupaciones por incendios. “No queremos morir aquí.”

January 25, 2025 at 9:20 a.m.

Los desarrolladores están nuevamente buscando planes para Harmony Grove Village South

Border 2 fire prompts some San Diego County school closures due to air concerns

January 24, 2025 at 3:40 p.m.

Here is a list of school closures caused by the wildfire burning near Otay Mountain

The Otay Mountain fire as seen from Mountain Hawk Park. (Xavier Hernandez / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Órdenes de evacuación y advertencias emitidas mientras el incendio en el área de Otay Mountain alcanza las 4,250 acres

January 24, 2025 at 8:16 a.m.

El área de evacuación del incendio Border 2 se extiende hacia el este hasta la Ruta 94

An air tanker drops fire retardant next to the Thousand Trails Pio Pico RV Resort & Campground during the Border 2 fire early Friday afternoon on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Nearly 6,300-acre fire expanding east in Otay wilderness as nearly 700 firefighters fight back

January 24, 2025 at 9:08 p.m.

Wind from the ocean pushed the Border 2 fire east Friday and the evacuation area expanded to include Dulzura and other rural spots east of Otay Mountain

San Diego firefighters battle a vegetation fire on Gilman Drive south of Via Alicante on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Fire chars hundreds of acres on Otay Mountain — but after 4th day of blazes, Santa Anas may yield to rain

January 23, 2025 at 9:09 p.m.

The Border 2 fire on Otay Mountain had scorched hundreds of acres by Thursday night, hours after the far smaller Gilman fire in La Jolla near UC San Diego briefly...

Federal agents carry a hiker to a helicopter to be taken to a hospital after the hiker was shot and robbed Wednesday in the Valley of the Moon area east of Jacumba Hot Springs. (US Border Patrol, El Centro Sector)

Patrulla Fronteriza de El Centro dice que un senderista recibió disparos de “presuntos de un cártel” mexicano

January 24, 2025 at 7:52 a.m.

El incidente se reportó alrededor del mediodía del miércoles en Valley of the Moon, cerca de la frontera de los condados de San Diego e Imperial

Generic police lights, generic police, police lights

Mujer de 66 años muere en un incidente de atropello y fuga en Encinitas

January 23, 2025 at 8:29 a.m.

Fue atropellada por un SUV cerca de Leucadia Boulevard poco antes de las 7 p.m. del domingo

Border Patrol El Centro Sector says hiker shot by ‘suspected cartel ’

January 23, 2025 at 9:07 p.m.

The incident was reported around noon Wednesday in Valley of the Moon, the Jacumba Wilderness near the border of San Diego and Imperial counties

Crews quickly douse Rancho Bernardo fire that led hundreds to flee homes

January 23, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

Hours after the Center fire or Bernardo fire sparked, all residents were allowed to return home Wednesday afternoon, and roads were reopened.

Firefighters battle a brushfire off Ted Williams Parkway and Pomerado Road on Monday. (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Los vientos de Santa Ana alcanzan ráfagas de 102 mph, golpeando directamente el condado de San Diego

January 22, 2025 at 7:52 a.m.

Los vientos explotaron en intensidad antes del amanecer del martes y mantuvieron gran parte de su fuerza en el día.

Fire crews work to extinguish remaining hot spots off Old Highway 395 in Bonsall on Tuesday. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Wind-whipped fires keep San Diego region on edge, with more Santa Anas on the way

January 22, 2025 at 5:01 a.m.

Scores of residents were urged to flee as fast-moving fires hurtled through bone-dry brush in Bonsall and Mission Valley Tuesday

A San Diego Sheriff’s helicopter takes off on Friars Road near where a fire had broken out on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Evacuations lifted as crews mop up fire near Fashion Valley mall

January 22, 2025 at 8:22 a.m.

Brush fire reported shortly after noon along Friars Road west of SR-163. Homes to the north and west of the area were under evacuation orders or warnings

Los bomberos se preparan para más problemas a medida que los vientos de Santa Ana se intensifican el martes

January 21, 2025 at 7:57 a.m.

Los vientos podrían alcanzar ráfagas de 60 a 80 mph en partes del interior que está extremadamente seco

Firefighters battle a brushfire off Ted Williams Pkwy and Pomerado on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 (Sandy Huffaker / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Crews stop spread of Poway brush fire that had prompted evacuation warnings

January 20, 2025 at 4:58 p.m.

The fire was reported at Ted Williams Parkway at Pomerado Road Monday. People were being asked to evacuate in the area of Wilsey Way.

To report a non-emergency crime, call the San Diego Police Department at 619-531-2000 or 858-484-3154. In an emergency, dial 911. (File)

Pedestrian, 66, killed in hit and run on Coast Highway in Encinitas

January 22, 2025 at 3:17 p.m.

She was struck by an SUV near Leucadia Boulevard shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday, a sheriff's sergeant said

Santa Ana winds gust to 102 mph, delivering direct hit to San Diego County

January 21, 2025 at 5:10 p.m.

The winds exploded in power before dawn Tuesday and will hold much of their strengthen into the afternoon

Fight over Harmony Grove housing project renews fire concerns. ‘We don’t want to die in here.’

January 18, 2025 at 3:51 p.m.

Developers are again pursuing plans for Harmony Grove Village South, but residents say evacuation routes aren't safe

Lockdown lifted at UC San Diego as police find no threat to campus

January 17, 2025 at 2:43 p.m.

Students, staff and faculty told to stay inside as police search for person after a Crime Stoppers report, a school official said

Mujer que conducía un scooter muere en accidente en San Pasqual

January 14, 2025 at 8:18 a.m.

La mujer conducía el scooter en dirección oeste por San Pasqual Valley Road

Woman riding motor scooter killed in San Pasqual crash

January 13, 2025 at 2:02 p.m.

The crash happened about 5:30 p.m. Sunday near Ysabel Creek Road. The woman died at a hospital

A screenshot is from a critical incident video regarding an officer-involved shooting that took place on Dec. 11 in the El Cajon Police Department parking lot. (El Cajon Police Department)

Conductor que fue fatalmente baleado tras embestir a un oficial de la policía de El Cajon estaba “empapado en gasolina”

January 13, 2025 at 8:31 a.m.

Las autoridades difundieron el viernes un video y dijeron que el conductor “tenía ideaciones suicidas”

La mayoría de las agencias policiales del condado de San Diego tienen un nuevo jefe al mando

January 11, 2025 at 9:50 a.m.

De las 11 ciudades o departamentos regionales de policía, siete vieron partir a su jefe en 2024.

In this screenshot from body-worn camera footage, El Cajon police train their guns at a pickup driver who rammed a sergeant outside police headquarters Dec. 11. (El Cajon Police Department)

Driver who was fatally shot after ramming El Cajon police officer was ‘soaked in gasoline’

January 10, 2025 at 4:04 p.m.

Authorities on Friday released video footage of the Dec. 11 incident and said the driver "had suicidal ideations"

Several water tanker helicopters drop water on a fire off La Cresta Road on Thursday in the community of Crest. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Con más vientos de Santa Ana en camino, las agencias de bomberos de San Diego adoptan una postura agresiva

January 10, 2025 at 3:32 p.m.

Se espera que los vientos cambien y afecten de manera más directa a la región este viernes.

With more Santa Anas on way, San Diego fire agencies take aggressive stance

January 10, 2025 at 12:21 p.m.

Even small fires draw a rush of fire crews as winds are expected to shift and bring a more direct hit to the region into Friday

A tent with pillows, blankets, and clothing next to what appears to be a makeshift hothouse behind a mobile home on Tuesday, Sept. 8 2020 is at the site where seven people were fatally shot at what sheriff’s deputies said was an illegal marijuana grow operation in Aguanga. (Photo by David Downey, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Vinculan a pandilla de San Diego con el asesinato múltiple de 2020 en una operación de cannabis en Aguanga

January 7, 2025 at 4:24 p.m.

Tres personas de San Diego han sido identificadas por las autoridades como "personas de interés"

A DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint in Escondido. (Charlie Neuman / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Los conductores arrestados por DUI tienen un nivel de alcohol al menos dos veces superior al límite legal

January 5, 2025 at 7:39 a.m.

Una subvención para San Diego de casi $543,000 cubrirá dos puestos de criminalistas y los costos de horas extras

In an unusual moment in San Diego County policing, most agencies have a new chief at the top

January 5, 2025 at 7:37 a.m.

Of the 11 cities or regional policing departments, seven saw their chief leave the post in 2024

San Diego gang linked to 2020 mass murder at cannabis operation in Aguanga, sheriff says

January 3, 2025 at 5:17 p.m.

Three people out of San Diego have been identified by authorities as "persons of interest," Riverside sheriff says

CAL FIRE hand crew works on hotspots west of Grandview Avenue as the Macy Fire burns more than 134 acres in Lake Elsinore on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Brush fire in remote Otay Mountain area contained

January 2, 2025 at 7:24 p.m.

The fire had charred around 25 acres by Thursday afternoon. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

San Diego Zoo’s panda-topped float wins Rose Parade’s top honors

January 2, 2025 at 5:12 p.m.

The 50-foot tall float celebrated giant pandas San Diego Zoo welcomed from China last summer

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Two pedestrians struck, killed when cars collide in Lemon Grove

January 1, 2025 at 9:07 p.m.

The collision was reported about 11:15 a.m. Wednesday on Broadway near Buena Vista Avenue

Vista Detention Facility. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Hombre muere en aislamiento médico en la cárcel de Vista

December 30, 2024 at 6:08 p.m.

El hombre de 46 años reportó síntomas similares a los de la gripe el martes

Name of man who died in Vista jail released, but cause of death undetermined

December 30, 2024 at 1:17 p.m.

Bobby Ray Patton, 46, fell ill this week, about a month after he was jailed. He died in custody Saturday morning

The San Diego Sheriff’s Office Vista Detention Facility on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Man dies in medical isolation in Vista jail

December 28, 2024 at 8:01 p.m.

The 46-year-old man reported flu-like symptoms Tuesday, a month after he went to jail. He was put into medical isolation and died Saturday.

Oficina del Sheriff no es responsable por agente que accedió al archivo de investigación después de manosear a una adolescente

December 28, 2024 at 9:16 a.m.

El fallo de un juez elimina la última acusación restante que enfrentaba la Oficina del Sheriff

A view from Shelter Island in San Diego. (Ana Ramirez / U-T file)

Look for weekend warmup and clear skies for New Year’s Eve

December 28, 2024 at 7:53 p.m.

After a Friday on the cool side, weekend weather will warm to upper 60s, low 70s, followed by Santa Ana winds early next week

A DUI/driver's license checkpoint in Escondido in 2020. (Charlie Neuman / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

On average, arrested DUI drivers test at least twice the legal limit. This money helps with lab costs.

December 27, 2024 at 3:07 p.m.

Nearly $543K grant will cover two criminalist positions and overtime costs in Sheriff’s Office Regional Crime Laboratory

Sheriff’s Office deemed not liable for deputy who accessed investigation file after groping teen

December 23, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.

A judge's finding removes the last remaining claim San Diego County Sheriff's Office faced in suit brought by victim

Cats and chickens eat food that was placed by Josh Hirschmiller, the San Diego Humane Society’s community cat field coordinator, on Thursday, in San Diego. Hirschmiller said there are about 15 cats in the colony and that he trapped them about two years ago. (Ana Ramirez / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

¿Adoptable o salvaje? Una demanda desafía el programa de la Sociedad Protectora de Animales de San Diego para devolver a los gatos a la calle

December 22, 2024 at 10:18 a.m.

El caso cuestiona el alcance del programa de "gatos comunitarios"

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