Fatal Shooting Suspect Turns Gun On Self Before End Of SFPD Standoff
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – A suspect in a fatal shooting involved in a nearly 15-hour standoff with police in San Francisco's Corona Heights neighborhood Monday shot himself in the chest before surrendering and is in critical condition, according to police.
The lengthy standoff began after a shooting was reported around 11:45 p.m. on Sunday in the area of 15th and Beaver streets, according to police.
Officers found a woman there suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to a hospital where she later died of her wounds, making the shooting a homicide.
Officers at the scene made contact with a male suspect who they believed to be armed with a handgun, but he barricaded himself inside his home and refused to leave.
Police surrounded the home and worked to negotiate with the suspect, issuing a shelter in place order for the surrounding streets.
Families were told to stay away from their windows as police try to keep the neighborhood safe during the incident.
"We opened the door and there was police officer in full SWAT gear with the helmet and camera and everything," said Carl Mazer, who lives across street from standoff. "It was very strange. The officers have been on our roof since 1 o'clock this morning."
Some area residents like Mazer were able to get out of their homes by using back doors.
"They told us to go to other side of building or go downstairs," explained Mazer.
During the incident, residents needing assistance are being advised to go to the evacuation center at McKinley Elementary School at 1025 14th St., where the Salvation Army provided water and breakfast as well as emotional and spiritual support.
The suspect left the home around 2:45 p.m., ending the standoff.
After he was taken into custody, police found that he had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest. The suspect was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police conducted a search of the property and determined there were no other threats to public safety.
The identities of the suspect and victim have not been released by police or the medical examiner's office.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact police at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 with "SFPD" at the beginning of the message.
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