Suspect dead after fatal shooting at Arroyo Grande senior apartments, police say
Content warning: This story mentions suicide.
Two people are dead in Arroyo Grande after a fatal shooting and standoff at a senior living apartment complex Wednesday night that ended when the suspect apparently took his own life, according to police.
Arroyo Grande Police Department Cmdr. Dave Culver said police received a 911 call at 3:05 p.m., for shots fired in the area of the Cortina D’Arroyo Grande Apartments at 241 N. Courtland St.
According to Culver, initial reports indicated shots had been fired at the complex manager’s office.
Officers who responded to the scene “found a victim that was deceased as a result of the gunfire,” Culver said.
Police zeroed in on a suspect, later identified as David Falcon, and determined he was barricaded in an apartment he resided in at the complex. Police evacuated adjacent apartments as a precautionary measure, according to a department release on Thursday.
Numerous agencies responded to aid as a standoff ensued, including Arroyo Grande Police Department, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, California State Parks, Grover Beach Police Department, Santa Maria Police Department and the San Luis Obispo County regional SWAT team.
Courtland Street was also closed between Grand and Brighton avenues due to the law enforcement response.
Resident describes lockdown, standoff as ‘unnerving’
Meanwhile residents in the 2-block radius were advised to shelter in place for their safety, police said.
Terrance Furness, a resident of the Cortina D’Arroyo Grande Apartments, said his in-home supportive services provider was just leaving when she heard gunshots and alerted him.
“She got out of dodge and next thing you know, I hear the sirens coming,” he said. “I look out my window and that’s when I see all the police downstairs, ready to go.”
Furness and other residents were then told to shelter in place, which he described as “unnerving.”
“When I saw the cops outside with their guns drawn, yeah, I got scared because I didn’t know what was going on,” he said.
Suspect found dead after hours-long standoff
According to Culver, police spent some time attempting to convince Falcon to peacefully exit the barricaded apartment, but at some point he cut off communication with the negotiator.
In the new release Thursday, police said a “single gunshot was heard by officers staged outside the suspect’s apartment door” when communications stopped.
Around 6 p.m., the San Luis Obispo County regional SWAT team attempted to make contact with Falcon in his apartment.
“Hopefully we’ll bring this to a peaceful resolution,” Culver said at that time, noting there was no risk to the public because authorities had him “contained.”
Soon after, popping noises and glass breaking could be heard in the area of the standoff around 6:25 p.m., as well as shouted instructions from negotiators.
Culver said once SWAT was able to enter the apartment, they found the man was deceased from an apparent “self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
“We really don’t know the circumstances that led up to this event,” Culver said Wednesday evening.
On Thursday, Arroyo Grande Police Department Cmdr. Zak Ayala told The Tribune “the motive is still being vetted at this time.”
“But indications are that the person killed was his only intended victim,” Ayala said.
The name of the person killed was not being released pending notification to next of kin, police said Thursday.
“The Arroyo Grande Police Department expresses deep sorrow for the loss of life in this tragic event, extending our condolences to the families and loved ones affected,” the department said in the release. “For their swift and collaborative response, gratitude is extended to allied agencies, encompassing law enforcement, fire, EMS and other support services. Further, a thank you is also offered to local businesses and restaurants for accommodating displaced residents during this challenging time.”
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
