An armed domestic violence suspect was fatally shot during a standoff with police on Tuesday during which the man allegedly used children as his shield, police said.
The children were unharmed during the incident, which occurred in the 1500 block of El Camino Real.
Police responded to the area at 3:19 p.m. after a 911 dispatcher reported receiving a call from a cellphone during which no one spoke, but she could hear what sounded like a child screaming in the background before the phone disconnected, according to police. A callback to the phone went to voicemail.
Police were dispatched to investigate, and they came upon a domestic violence incident involving the man, woman and three children. While officers were on the scene, the suspect armed himself with a handgun and began using the children as a shield, police said.
Officers attempted negotiations, but before communication could be established they “perceived the adult male was attempting to shoot the adult female and/or the children. Officers responded immediately with lethal force and the male was incapacitated.”
The man was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His gun had been loaded, police said.
The woman sustained injuries not related to the shooting and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
All police officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave while the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office investigates the incident, and the California Department of Justice was notified, all per County protocol
Anyone with information on this incident or other criminal activity in Redwood City is encouraged to call the Tip Line at 650-780-7110.
