. SWAT TEAM ARRESTS SHOOTING SUSPECT IN EL CAJON

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East County News Service

September 19, 2015 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police dispatched its SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics team) and evacuated neighbors due to an active shooter at 1400 Petree Avenue.

The incident began at 7:40 p.m. when a caller reported three gunshots from a neighbor’s apartment. While on the phone, police heard another shot.Officers responded and established a perimeter around the apartment, hearing additional gunshots from inside.

Lt. Rob Ransweiler said,“The officers focused on evacuating as many residents as possible, clearing the parking lots and stopping traffic on the adjacent roadway.  The reverse 911 system was used to send a safety message to the residents who were still in their apartments to remain in place and to avoid coming outside.”

El Cajon’s SWAT team was called to the team, assisted by San Diego Sheriff,  California Highway Patrol, and police departments from La Mesa, National City and Chula Vista.

“As officers started walking up to the front door of the next door neighbor’s apartment to evacuate them, the suspect fired two rounds out the front door of his apartment,” said Lt. RRansweiler. “An hour after the incident began, the suspect stopped shooting and simply walked out his front door.”

 Once outside, he was not listening to commands to lie down on the ground, according to police, so a canine was used to safely take him into custody without further incident. 

The suspect gave officers conflicting information about anyone else being inside of his apartment.  For this reason, every precaution was taken to ensure the safety of the community and of the officers that needed to make entry into the apartment.

The reason for the shooting is not known.  Officers are still on scene after obtaining a search warrant for the residence so they could ensure that they complete a thorough search for any and all weapons in the apartment. 

During the incident, all of the residents that were evacuated remained cooperative with law enforcement.  After the situation was resolved, all of the residents were able to return to their homes.  No one was injured during the incident. 

The suspect has been identified as 45 year old, Samuel Jason Herlevic of El Cajon.  He was arrested for multiple felony counts of Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling.  He was processed at the El Cajon Police Department before being booked into San Diego County Jail. 

This is an ongoing investigation at this time.  Anyone with information regarding this investigation may still contact the El Cajon Police Department at (619) 579-3311.



 



 


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