Domestic Violence Suspect Found Dead After 9-Hour San Fernando Valley Standoff

CHATSWORTH, CA — A 50-year-old domestic violence suspect was found dead Monday after allegedly opening fire on deputies and barricading himself inside a San Fernando Valley home for about nine hours, authorities said.

Ventura County sheriff’s deputies responded shortly after 2 a.m. to a report of domestic violence at a home in the 9400 block of Thompson Avenue, in an unincorporated Ventura County community on the Los Angeles County border, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies contacted a woman outside the home before approaching the rear of the property to speak with the man involved in the confrontation, authorities said.

The man told deputies he had a gun and fired several shots from inside the home, prompting deputies to retreat and surround the property, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

No deputies or nearby residents were struck.

The woman involved in the domestic violence incident escaped the home unharmed, KTLA reported. Fox 11 reported that investigators said the gunman also fired toward the woman and had multiple firearms inside the residence.

The Los Angeles and Simi Valley police departments assisted at the scene until the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department SWAT team took command.

Authorities deployed crisis negotiators and drones, but the man refused repeated orders to surrender, officials said.

After obtaining a search warrant, deputies breached a window and sent a drone into the home. The drone located the man, who appeared to be unresponsive, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

SWAT members entered the residence and found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said.

The standoff ended shortly before 11 a.m., Ventura County sheriff’s Capt. Robert Yoos said.

City News Service contributed to this report.