SWAT Standoff Follows Homicide at Del Cerro Apartment

UPDATE [SAN DIEGO (Del Cerro) Thurs Oct 1, 10:15 am] San Diego police say a 40-year-old man was found dead inside a bedroom of the College Avenue apartment Wednesday evening. In a press release issued Thursday, SDPD said a neighbor called at about 2:30 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 29, to report possible gunshots in the area, but officers checked and found nothing suspicious. On Wednesday at about 1:05 pm, officers returned to the complex for a welfare check after a relative reported that a family member was not answering calls and had missed a scheduled work shift. Officers forced entry and found a 47-year-old woman dead. While they searched the home, officers found a closed bedroom door and believed an armed person might be barricaded inside, so they called in the Emergency Negotiation Team and the Special Response Team (SWAT). Officers tried for several hours to communicate with anyone inside and got no response. When they entered the bedroom later that evening, they found the man dead. Homicide detectives are investigating, and the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of both deaths. Police have not released the names of either person while their families are notified. Anyone with information is asked to call the SDPD Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

[Original Post]
[SAN DIEGO (Del Cerro) Wed Sept 30, 9:51 pm] San Diego police SWAT officers remain at an apartment complex in the 5700 block of College Avenue late Wednesday night after a woman was found dead inside a unit where police believe a suspect is still barricaded.

According to unofficial sources at the scene, gunshots were heard at the complex Tuesday night. It is not known whether officers responded at that time or were unable to locate the source. On Wednesday, officers forced entry into the apartment and found a woman dead, along with spent shell casings. Police believe the suspect is still inside the unit.

The call was dispatched at 3:38 pm, and SWAT was activated later that afternoon. Around 5:20 pm, seven to eight loud bangs consistent with flash-bang devices were heard at the scene. At about 6:30 pm, SWAT officers were seen unpacking a tracked robot for entry into the apartment. After 7 pm, smaller bangs were heard and the smell of tear gas was noticeable, which an officer at the scene confirmed.

The standoff has disrupted the surrounding area. College Avenue is closed in both directions at Del Cerro Boulevard, a key access point into the Del Cerro neighborhood. The Chevron station at the intersection is closed, as is the Einstein Bros. Bagels shop, where SWAT snipers are positioned on the roof.

As of 9:51 pm, the SDPD watch commander said the situation was still active and SWAT remained on scene. Police have not released the woman’s name, a cause of death or any details about the suspect, and no official statement has been issued.

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