Chula Vista

Officers Shoot Man Holding Another at Knifepoint in Chula Vista

When responders arrived, one of the men was holding a knife to the throat of the other, CVPD said

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Chula Vista police officers shot a man who was holding another man at knifepoint on Saturday.

Officers were called around 7:45 p.m. to what was believed to be a fight between two homeless individuals outside an apartment complex near Moss Street and Broadway, the Chula Vista Police Department said.

When responders arrived, one of the men was holding a knife to the throat of the other, CVPD Lt. Rusty Rea said.

A canine officer, who is also a member of the SWAT team, responded to the call.

"The suspect continued to press the knife at the victim's throat, was not responding to the negotiations, and threatened to kill the hostage," said CVPD Lt. Jud Campbell.

Then a canine officer and a team of other officers climbed through an apartment window that was next to the suspect. The canine officer unlocked and cracked the door open, and fired his rifle at the suspect, striking him in the head, Campbell said.

The victim was able to get away from the suspect and run.

The suspect was taken to a local hospital and is not expected to survive his injuries, Campbell said. The man being held at knifepoint was also injured, but only suffered injuries to his neck. His injuries are non-life threatening, Campbell said.

Police investigators said the suspect and the victim did not know each other until this incident when the suspect threatened him and forced him to come to the apartment complex.

CVPD will not release the name of the victim at this time but he is described as a 34-year-old man who is currently homeless in Chula Vista. The suspect also remains unidentified.

Before the shooting, 911 callers alerted police saying the individuals were possibly setting up camp in an apartment stairwell, banging on doors, yelling, and possibly using drugs or dealing with mental illness, Campbell said.

This is a developing story. Details may change as information becomes available.

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