SWAT SUSPECT DEAD IN SANTEE AFTER OFFICERS FIRED SHOTS

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By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  @SDSheriff.net on Twitter

August 6, 2016 (Santee) – A man who reportedly threatened to kill his mother prompted a SWAT team intervention yesterday afternoon at a home at 9901 Woodglen Vista Drive in Santee.  After the suspect fired arrows at Sheriff’s deputies out the windows, deputies returned fire. A robotic device later confirmed the suspect was dead, said Lieutenant Greg Rylaarsdam with the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail.

According to the Sheriff’s department, the incident began at 1:57 p.m., when deputies from the Santee station responded to a call in which the reporting party said her adult son had threatened to kill her, may have an undiagnosed mental condition, and could have weapons including an axe and a knife.

Deputies contacted the mother when they arrived, then went to the front door of the home to contact her son. Through the open door, deputies called out and asked him to come outside.

“He responded by peeking around a corner and firing an arrow from bow at the deputies, striking the doorway nearby where they stood. Deputies retreated from the doorway and called for additional help,” Lt. Rylaarsdam says. Deputies unsuccessfully attempted to call the man inside the house using the telephone and PA announcements.

More deputies arrived and a team was put together to take the man into custody if he exited the home. As they did so, the man appeared at an upstairs window and fired additional arrows at the deputies in front of the home.

“Deputies returned fire possibly striking the man who stopped firing from the window,” said Lt. Rylaarsdam.

Deputies from the Sheriff's Special Enforcement Detail responded to the scene and attempted to contact the man. Eventually, they used sound and light devices as well as electronic surveillance cameras and determined someone was lying on the floor in the upstairs bedroom. After receiving no response, deputies entered the residence and found a man in the upstairs bedroom. Medics pronounced the man deceased at 5:37 p.m.

The Medical Examiner's Office will be conducting an autopsy and will determine the cause and manner of death.

The man's identity is being withheld pending his positive identification and family notification.

In accordance with Sheriff's procedure and practice, the names of the involved personnel will be released after three business days.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

 


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