3 San Diego County Deputies Fatally Shoot Armed Suspect In Santee Standoff

SANTEE, CA — Three sheriff's deputies fatally shot an armed man who barricaded himself inside a Santee home and fired shots at authorities when trying to flee from the residence, officials said Monday.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Office received a call shortly before noon Sunday about an assault with a firearm and criminal threats at 9033 Willowgrove Ave. in Santee, according to the San Diego Police Department, the agency now investigating the shooting.

Sheriff's deputies contacted the victims who had fled the scene for their safety, SDPD Lt. Arturo Swadener said. While speaking to the victims, deputies learned that the suspect was at 9016 Willowgrove Ave. and still armed with a handgun.

"Deputies obtained the suspect's phone number and attempted to contact him to negotiate a peaceful resolution," Swadener said. "The man refused to speak with them and remained barricaded in the residence."

The sheriff's office called in the SWAT unit and crisis negotiation team, and negotiated with the suspect for several hours. The situation was elevated when authorities heard a gunshot from inside the residence, Swadener said.

A drone confirmed that the suspect was inside the home. Officials deployed chemical agents to get the man out of the residence, Swadener said.

"The suspect exited through the front door and fired rounds at the deputies," Swadener said. "The rounds struck the armored vehicle parked in front of the residence. Three deputies fired their weapons striking the suspect, who was declared deceased at the scene."

The suspect's name was not released.

The deputies who fired their weapons have been employed by the sheriff's office for about 15, 11 and 9 years. Each were equipped with body-worn cameras, which were activated during the incident, Swadener said.

The SDPD, in accordance with a Countywide Memorandum of Agreement, was investigating the deputy-involved shooting. The intersection of Willowgrove Avenue and Carlton Hills Boulevard was closed while police investigated.

"There is no danger to the community," the sheriff's office said on social media. "We appreciate your cooperation during this incident."

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the department's Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.