A man suffering from some sort of mental breakdown was shot in the back of the head by a neighbor Thursday night in Scripps Ranch, San Diego police confirmed.
According to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), officers were called to the 10300 block of Moselle Street around 7 p.m. to investigate reports of a 28-year-old suspect allegedly going around the area threatening his neighbors, chasing them with a knife and hammer.
Police said the man, now identified as Thomas Leet, was suffering some sort of psychotic episode at the time of the neighborhood disturbance. Investigators said Leet hit at least 10 cars parked in the neighborhood with his hammer, shattering windows.
As Leet ran through the area, a neighbor armed himself with a handgun and shot Leet in the back of the head.
SDPD Lt. Scott Wahl said Leet was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and is expected to be released over the weekend. Investigators said he does not have a violent past but does have a history of mental health issues.
Leet's birthday was yesterday.
One resident told NBC 7 Friday she was saddened by the events in her neighborhood. She said the suspect used to play with her daughter when they were children. She said he comes from a kind, loving family and is clearly dealing with deeper problems.
The resident left a note on the door of the suspect's home Friday with a touching message that read, in part, "My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God give you peace that surpasses all understanding, and grant you comfort and healing."
"We love you and are here for you," the note continued.
Another neighbor, Concepcion Campos, told NBC 7 the suspect wound up in her garage before he was shot. He was holding a hammer, and Campos was frightened.
Local
"This guy came inside my garage. And I think, 'Oh my God, maybe he has something else -- not only the hammer,'" Campos said. "I was very scared."
The suspect struck Campos' car with the hammer -- one of many vehicles damaged by the suspect.
Campos said the neighbor who fired on the suspect did the right thing amid a very chaotic situation.
"I think it was the best thing he could do. You know, this young guy was sick," she said.
Lt. Wahl said Leet will be booked into jail after he is released from the hospital. He's facing more than a dozen charges, including 11 counts of vandalism, brandishing a weapon and assault with a deadly weapon.
Police said the neighbor who shot the suspect did so in self-defense and, at this point, will not face charges.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information on this incident should contact Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
Despite the damage to their vehicles, most residents in the area said their property is replaceable, and said they really feel for the family of the suspect and hope he gets mental health treatment.
