At least a half-dozen police cars swarmed an apartment complex in El Cajon Thursday afternoon in search of a man suspected in a domestic violence incident who had barricaded himself inside a unit.
Heavy police activity could be seen at The Grove Luxury Apartments at 346 Jamacha Rd., between Lexington Avenue and Dorothy Street, just after 1 p.m.
El Cajon Police Department Lt. Randy Soulard told NBC 7 officers were there because they wanted to question a man in connection with a domestic violence incident. Further details about that incident were not immediately confirmed.
The complex is across the street from a gas station, a 7-Eleven and a liquor store. A group of bystanders had gathered in the parking lot of the convenience store and could be seen watching police as they focused in on the complex, specifically a ground-level unit.
Officers could be seen staging behind an SUV, their eyes focused on a back window of the apartment. They roped off the area near the unit, right at the intersection of Jamacha Road and Dorothy Street.
Just after 1:45 p.m., the sounds of a window shattering were heard at the scene. The sound came from inside the apartment where the man was believed to be barricaded.
As the glass was busted out, the white blinds on the window were also broken into pieces. Someone inside the unit could be seen putting what appeared to be a white mattress up against the shattered window.
Police made announcements for the man to come out of the unit.
"This is the El Cajon Police Department," officers announced. "Come out of the apartment with your hands up."
Just before 2 p.m., officers entered the courtyard of the complex and zeroed in on the front door of the apartment unit. Some officers pointed their weapons at the door as they continued calling out for the suspect to come out peacefully.
A few minutes later, officers fired tear gas into the unit and were seen confronting the man inside.
He was arrested without further incident.
NBC 7 is at the scene gathering more details. Check back for updates on this developing story.
