Torrance Standoff Ends When Man Dies Of Apparent Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound
REDONDO BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say a 12-hour standoff in Torrance ended after a man was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police say the man identified as Timothy Thomas, 27, abducted his 22-year-old former girlfriend at gunpoint from her home in the 900 block of Carnelian Street in South Redondo Beach.
The incident unfolded just after 3:20 a.m. Thursday.
From there, Thomas took the unidentified woman to a Super 8 Motel in Torrance, police said.
The woman at some point managed to call a family member, who alerted police.
Authorities arrived at the motel, where they found the woman in the lobby. She was unharmed.
Thomas, however, reportedly took off toward his room, where he remained for several hours, according to authorities.
At some point thereafter, a gunshot was heard, prompting the immediate evacuation of the motel.
About 3 p.m., police swarmed the room where Thomas was believed to be holed up and found his body.
"They just found a male individual in the room that was deceased," Torrance police Sgt. Paul Kranke said.
The sergeant said it appeared the man had died from a self-inflicted wound.
The standoff had also prompted the precautionary lockdown of nearby Golden Kids Preschool on Sepulveda Boulevard.