Sheriff's Deputies Shoot, Kill Armed Man In San Diego's East County

SPRING VALLEY, CA — Seven sheriff's deputies opened fired and killed an armed man who was reportedly trespassing at a home with four children in Spring Valley, authorities said Saturday.

Deputies responded around 3:20 p.m. Friday to a trespassing call involving a suspect with a gun at a residence in the 900 block of Leland Street near Sweetwater Reservoir, just north of Jamacha Boulevard and east of state Route 125, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

"When deputies responded, they met the reporting party outside and learned the children were still inside the house and suspect was in the backyard," sheriff's officials said. "Deputies entered the house and safely extracted the children to remove them from the danger."

A woman reported that her ex-boyfriend had entered her house through the back door, armed with a gun and acting erratically, according to authorities. She said the ex-boyfriend was also suffering from mental issues and was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

At around 4:30 p.m., the suspect allegedly fired at least two shots in the backyard with deputies less than 15 feet away. Deputies then held positions on the street and the suspect re-entered the house, the department said.

At around 4:55 p.m., the suspect allegedly exited the front door, raised his firearm and pointed it in the direction of deputies, whereupon he was hit with multiple gunshots. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured, according to the report.

The suspect was described as a 34-year-old man.

A black semi-automatic handgun was recovered at the scene, the department added.

Authorities urged anyone with information regarding the episode to call the sheriff's Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

— City News Service