1 dead, 1 injured in Pacifica stabbing; suspect found dead in Mendocino County
A man suspected of stabbing two people, one fatally, in a Pacifica home Thursday morning has been found dead, authorities said.
According to Pacifica Police, the California Highway Patrol found the suspect in Mendocino County, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The suspect has been identified as 46-year-old Jason Gillenwater.
Police said Gillenwater obtained the firearm in Colusa County after the stabbing incident.
Around 7:45 a.m., officers responded to a house on the 200 block of Naomi Ave. for a report of domestic violence and arrived to find a man and a woman with apparent stab wounds.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene and the woman was taken to a hospital. The victims were not identified.
Police said the known suspect was seen leaving the area on foot. Officers searched the immediate area with the help of other law enforcement agencies but did not find the suspect.
The Pacifica School District sent out an alert around 9 a.m. saying "out of an abundance of caution, the Pacific School District Office and Vallemar Elementary School have been placed on lockdown by the Pacifica Police Department."
In its update Thursday afternoon, police said that they responded to the home on December 14 for a reported domestic violence incident involving Gillenwater and the female victim. Gillenwater was arrested for domestic violence at the scene and booked into the San Mateo County Jail.
After posting bail, authorities immediately obtained a gun violence emergency protective order, seizing firearms and ammunition. Authorities also obtained an Emergency Protective Order that prohibited Gillenwater from contacting the woman or coming within 100 yards of the home.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and keeping the family members and Pacifica community close in our hearts as they cope with this profound loss," Chief Maria Sarasua said in a statement. "I am grateful to the San Mateo County allied agencies, San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, and the California Highway Patrol for their assistance during this investigation
Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call the Pacifica Police Department at 650-738-7314.
