Deputies kill the suspected Cupertino quarry shooter Shareef Allman
(CBS/AP) SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Shareef Allman, the supposed disgruntled employee accused of opening fire on his co-workers at a California limestone quarry was shot and killed by deputies Thursday, authorities said.
Three deputies on routine patrol in a Sunnyvale neighborhood encountered the man matching Allman's description around 7:30 a.m., Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said. He was crouched behind a vehicle in the driveway of a home.
The deputies opened fire after the man "displayed in a threatening manner his firearm," Smith said.
Investigators believe the man is Allman but the coroner will have to confirm the identity, she said.
"I'm glad that we were able to reach a resolution. It's unfortunate that an additional person died, but it's over, and my concern is the public safety of the county," Smith said.
The shooting took place in a residential neighborhood about 5 miles east of Lehigh Southwest Cement Permanente Plant. This is where Allman allegedly opened fire during a routine safety meeting a day earlier. Three people died and six were wounded.
Authorities believe Allman also shot a woman in an attempted carjacking a couple of hours after fleeing the quarry. Thursday's encounter with law enforcement took place about a block from that carjacking, near Hewlett-Packard Co.'s Cupertino campus.
The shootings rattled those close to Allman.
In addition to working at the quarry, Allman has run a nonprofit group for youths and produced and hosted a public access television show for CreaTV in San Jose. He also wrote a novel titled "Saving Grace," about the evils of domestic violence.
To his friends, he was an outgoing, friendly man and devoted single father of two who once worked tirelessly to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims.
"If you live in San Jose, you could not help but know him. He had a great smile, and he lit up the room," said Rev. Jeff Moore of the NAACP's San Jose-Silicon Valley chapter. "He was such a peaceful man."
Walter Wilson, a community activist who has known Allman all his life, said he last saw Allman three weeks ago at downtown music festival. He seemed happy and jovial, Wilson said.
"He spent his life in the service of other people," Wilson said.
More on CrimesiderOctober 5, 2011 - Death toll up to 3 in Cupertino quarry shooting, suspect still on the looseOctober 5, 2011 - Cupertino quarry shooter identified as Shareef Allman
October 5, 2011 - At least 2 dead after employee opens fire in a meeting at a Cupertino, Calif. quarry