A man was arrested Monday on suspicion of shooting at his ex-girlfriend through a sliding glass door while she was standing inside her house where she runs an in-home daycare, Chula Vista police said.

The woman led the seven children in her care — ages 1 to 8 — to a bathroom when her ex-boyfriend shot several rounds at her, police Lt. Dan Peak said.

Only the assailant was hurt. He suffered a minor foot injury when he broke into the two-story house on Corte Condesa, Peak said.

Police believe the man may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The couple broke up Sunday night, Peak said.


On Monday, the violence began around 3 p.m. when the man arrived at the home, where he pounded on the front door and yelled at the woman through a window, demanding to be allowed inside, Peak said.

When that didn’t work, the man set a side garage door on fire, Peak said. The door smoldered for some time.

Next the man went to the backyard. The estranged couple spotted each other through the sliding glass door, and the woman yelled at him to leave.

The man then shot at her, but the woman was not hit by the gunfire, Peak said.


Once the children were in the bathroom, the woman fetched a gun inside the home. She ran outside as the man broke into the house through the sliding glass door.

When she saw her ex-boyfriend advance toward her, she fired what police called a warning round to keep him away. It was unclear if she fired into the air, but the man was not struck.

Within moments, officers arrived and surrounded the house. With guns drawn, they ordered the man to put down his weapon and surrender. He was taken into custody without a struggle, Peak said.

The man was jailed and expected to be charged with suspicion of attempted murder, felony child endangerment and arson, Peak said.


Once the incident was resolved, parents of children at the daycare were notified and they retrieved their children.

David Hernandez is a staff writer with the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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