A domestic violence suspect held off San Diego police with one of their own pepper-ball guns while holed up in a Clairemont apartment Saturday night.

The 90-minute standoff ended when officers told him they’d leave if he would just toss their weapon outside. He did so, and quickly locked his door again, police said.

Officers went to the apartment complex at Diane Avenue and Clairemont Mesa Boulevard about 5:25 p.m. to investigate a report of domestic violence, police Lt. Brent Williams said.

A man there was reported to have violated a temporary restraining order and threatened to hurt himself. A woman got out of the apartment safely.


Officers went into the apartment, but apparently felt threatened in some way and quickly retreated, police said. One officer dropped a pepper-ball launching gun inside. A police flashlight also was dropped.

The man refused for some time to come out and a SWAT team was going to be called in. However, authorities requested a less heavy response from an emergency response team and the apartment was surrounded by officers. Roadways near the complex were blocked off.

They made several attempts using a public address system to persuade the man to come out and he was seen peering out of windows and a glass door over the next hour.

Shortly before 7 p.m., police said the man asked them what would happen if he gave up the pepper-ball gun. Officers who were negotiating with him were told to tell him police would leave if they got the gun back. Moments later, he opened a door, tossed out the gun and locked himself back inside.


They found their missing flashlight on his front door mat, too.

By 7:30 p.m., police were planning to leave the apartment complex.


pauline.repard@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @pdrepard