Deputies responded to reports of an armed man in unincorporated El Cajon Wednesday.
According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, they got a call from the man's father, telling them his son was armed and may harm himself in the 1400 block of Fuerte Heights Lane.
But by the time deputies arrived, the family said the suspect had thrown the gun in the pool and taken off.
Investigators found the firearm in the pool as they started clearing the house, which sits on a big property, they say.
The man's family said they found him and took him to the hospital unharmed.
Editor's note: Deputies previously said they had reports that the man was threatening his family. His family told NBC 7 that is not the case.