Suicidal Man Causes Evacuations in South Gate Neighborhood

SOUTH GATE, CA - A man was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound today at a South Gate residence, police said.

The incident began about 12:30 a.m., when officers went to the 4000 block of Santa Ana Street "regarding a domestic violence incident," the South Gate Police Department reported.

"Officers arrived and confirmed that no other occupants were inside of the residence except the suspect, and that the suspect had been armed with a gun," a police statement said.

"Repeated attempts to contact the suspect via telephone and public address system were made and met with negative results," police said. "After it was determined that voice and visual contact with the suspect could not be made, and he was possibly still armed, the LASD Special Enforcement Bureau was contacted."

Several neighboring homes were evacuated, and Santa Ana Street was closed between Otis Street and San Juan Avenue as a precaution. Gunfire reportedly was heard around 3 a.m., according to police.

South Gate detectives obtained a search warrant, and the SWAT team entered the residence about 7:30 a.m. and found the man in the garage with an apparent self-inflicted fatal gunshot wound, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The man's name was not immediately released.

City News Service