SNIPER STOPS TRAFFIC GUNMAN FOUND DEAD IN APARTMENT AFTER STANDOFF.Byline: Susan Abram and Naush Boghossian Staff Writers GLENDALE - A sniper See sniping software. firing hundreds of bullets wildly from his apartment Thursday forced closure of Interstate 5 in Glendale for more than three hours, bringing traffic to a virtual standstill across part of the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. and beyond. The gunman, found dead after Glendale police tear-gassed his apartment after a 4 1/2-hour standoff, randomly fired an estimated 200 bullets through the ungated complex and toward the freeway. Thousands of motorists and dozens of neighbors were diverted from the sniper's ``kill zone'' after he opened fire, said Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams. ``He definitely had the ability to shoot in the direction of the freeway and potentially take down motorists,'' Adams said. The gunman, identified only as a 47-year-old disgruntled dis·grun·tle tr.v. dis·grun·tled, dis·grun·tling, dis·grun·tles To make discontented. [dis- + gruntle, to grumble (from Middle English gruntelen; see former security guard for Pinkerton Inc., fired the rounds from a semiautomatic assault rifle assault rifle Military firearm that is chambered for ammunition of reduced size or propellant charge and has the capacity to switch between semiautomatic and fully automatic fire. but had at least six other weapons ``at his disposal,'' Adams said. ``He had very serious firepower fire·pow·er n. 1. The capacity, as of a weapon, weapons system, military unit, or position, for delivering fire. 2. The ability to deliver fire against an enemy in combat. Noun 1. and was using it indiscriminately,'' Adams said. The body of the gunman was found inside his apartment after officers lobbed tear gas tear gas, gas that causes temporary blindness through the excessive flow of tears resulting from irritation of the eyes. The gas is used in chemical warfare and as a means for dispersing mobs. inside the second-floor unit about 3:30 p.m. Adams said the cause of death was under investigation, but that gunshot wounds were a ``reasonable assumption.'' No one else was reported wounded during the siege. About 50 residents of the apartment complex and surrounding area were evacuated. Apartment residents were not allowed to return to their homes until early today, police said. Glendale police responded at 11:12 a.m. to a 911 call of gunfire at 400 Paula Ave., in an equestrian area of Glendale. The first two officers arriving were fired upon. They ducked and called for help, then were rescued by other officers who fired two shots in rescuing their comrades. ``This was a chaotic scene,'' Sgt. Kirk Palmer said. ``It was a firefight fire·fight n. An exchange of gunfire, as between infantry units. inside the complex. We were trying to save lives at that point and rescue civilians and officers.'' About 200 officers responded, with units from the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. and Burbank police departments The Burbank Police Department is the police department serving Burbank, California. Tim Stehr became the Police Chief of the department on August 1, 2007. The previous chiefs were Thomas Hoefel, David Newsham and Glen Bell. assisting, along with the California Highway Patrol highway patrol n. A state law enforcement organization whose police officers patrol the public highways. . Just before 1 p.m., authorities shut down the Golden State Freeway The Golden State Freeway is a north-south freeway running through Kern County and Los Angeles County, California. Originally built as U.S. Highway 99, it was re-signed as Interstate 5 in 1964. in both directions and the transition lanes of the westbound 134 Freeway because of their proximity to the shooting scene. ``Persons on the freeway were in imminent danger of being hit by gunfire,'' Palmer said. By 2 p.m., traffic was backed up from the Harbor to the Hollywood freeways. Lanes were reopened about 4:30 p.m. During the siege, the sniper fired his assault weapon wildly in all directions, through the walls of his apartment and into neighbors' units, out into the front yard, and toward the street and freeway, police said. Bullets ricocheted off cars on the street and off the pavement. ``There were six to eight bullet holes on the walls right in front of us, and we didn't know where the shots were coming from,'' said Kathy Raji, who was at the apartment complex inquiring about rentals. ``The shots were coming from inside the building. The police were telling us to run.'' Crisis negotiators were called in and made repeated attempts to communicate with the gunman by bullhorn and telephone, but received no response. Armored vans, firetrucks and dozens more uniformed officers surrounded the area between Sonora Avenue and Lake Street. A spokeswoman from Pinkerton said the company had no comment on the incident. But Adams said he understood that the man had quit his job at Pinkerton because he was upset over a scheduling conflict. Resident B.J. Kincler, who has lived in the building for more than 20 years, described the gunman as nice and quiet, a man who kept to himself. ``I'm shocked that it would be him,'' she said. CAPTION(S): 5 photos, map Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) SWAT team members climb up to a window, above, after a sniper started shooting from his Paula Avenue apartment. The standoff caused closure of Interstate 5, left, in both directions for hours. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News (3 -- 5) SWAT officers search an apartment complex on Paula Avenue, left, after a gunman began shooting there late Thursday morning. At bottom left, officers evacuate e·vac·u·ate v. 1. To empty or remove the contents of. 2. To excrete or discharge waste matter, especially of the bowels. residents of nearby apartments and, far left, peer into a second-story window. Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer Map: Site of sniper standoff Daily News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion