SAN DIEGO – Three officers were identified on Thursday after the shooting in which they participated, and a man suspected of targeting first responders inside a San Diego apartment building with a pistol, prompting officers to react with firearms, authorities said.
Officers Cassie Louret, Officer Jason Langley, and Officer Austin Thomas fired a gun at a man who was able to run back to his apartment, out onto the back patio, and down the sidewalk behind the condo complex located in Block 11200 on Tierrasanta Boulevard, according to Lt. Chris Steffen of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
The incident took place on Saturday around 11:57 AM when San Diego police officers went to help firefighters with a possible apartment fire, Steffen said. When firefighters opened the front door of the apartment, which was emitting visible smoke, authorities said a man was found on the couch pointing a gun at the firefighters, forcing them to retreat from the apartment.
Steffen said the man then left the apartment and aimed a pistol at the officers who were in the corridor of the building. Three officers fired a gun at the man, prompting him to return to his apartment, exit the back patio, and walk down the sidewalk behind the apartment complex.
Soon after, the man was found dead on the sidewalk after shooting himself, authorities said.
All three officers are from the San Diego Police Department, according to a sheriff’s official. Louret, a 17-year-old veteran, and Langley, an eight-year veteran, are assigned to the Canine Unit. Thomas has been with the division for a year and is currently assigned to the Eastern Division.
“As with all shootings involving officers, the officers in this case are currently on administrative tasks until they are allowed to return to full duty,” Steffen said.
No officer was injured in the incident.
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