Tierrasanta apartment fire leads to gunshots and dead man
A 62-year-old man who pointed a gun at firefighters at a Tierrasanta condo complex was found dead nearby after fleeing from police.
SAN DIEGO — A 62-year-old man who pointed a gun at firefighters during an apartment complex fire pointed that same gun at arriving police officers before killing himself from a single gunshot wound, news reports authorities on Sunday.
Officers were dispatched to a possible apartment fire in the 11200 block of Tierrasanta Boulevard around noon Saturday, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Chris Steffen said.
They reported that firefighters saw smoke billowing from an apartment and forced open the front door to find the suspect sitting on a couch. He pointed a handgun at firefighters, who retreated from the apartment, Steffen said.
Three officers, positioned in the hallway of the apartment, fired on the man after he pointed the gun at them as he left the apartment, Steffen said.
“The man ran into his apartment, out of his back patio, and into an alley behind the apartment complex,” he said. “Officers on the perimeter of the apartment complex heard what sounded like a single gunshot outside the complex.”
An ABLE helicopter overhead saw the suspect lying motionless on the catwalk. Officers approached the man and determined he was deceased.
Sheriff officials urged anyone with information regarding the incident to call them at 858-285-6330.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online.
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