San Diego International Airport Shooting: Gunman Identified, Suspect in Custody
Sudden outbursts of gunshots were fired Wednesday at a San Diego Apartment Complex, spreading fear within the community. However, San Diego Police acted fast after a 911 call from a neighbor. After hours of standoff, the gunman was identified and is in the custody of authorities.
It seemed like a local domestic violence; however, the crime scene was just a few blocks away from the San Diego International Airport that had to stop its operation for a while for safety purposes.
Flights were canceled and delayed, according to a report from The Associated Press. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesman Ian Gregor said that the complex located at the 2400 Block of Brandt Street is under the airport's approach path, and although flights are not allowed to land, departures are however allowed.
The gunman was later identified to be 33-year-old Titus Colbert, who later surrendered to the police, according to San Diego Police Lt. Scott Wahl. There was even one instance that Colbert threw "multiple weapons" outside the complex and was shooting inches away from the police.
The shooting incident was even taped on camera by a CBS reporter, who posted the video on his Twitter account. However, the employee was reprimanded since he was showing too much information where the police were exactly located, which might cause danger to their safety.
The police further revealed that it took a five-hour standoff before Colbert decided to surrender. The Associated Press also reported that there were no injuries or deaths recorded since the residents nearby were advised to stay indoors. Schools were also on lock down during the encounter, per KPBS.
Both the police and a SWAT team negotiated and talked to Colbert.
Meanwhile, a report from the Orange County Register revealed that a man named Tom Neu, who lives next door from the complex, was at home when he heard a gunshot, which prompted him to call 911. Neu even said that he stayed in his bathtub for safety.
"You're thinking, 'I might get shot and killed in my own bathtub," he said as quoted by the Orange County Register.
And as the shooting finally concluded, the San Diego International Airport is finally back in its normal operations. However, according to the Associated Press, a total of 30 flights were affected because of the diversion made during the stand-off.
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