Santa Cruz Police use BearCat in weekend standoff

Santa Cruz Police said a man shot and killed himself during an overnight standoff on the 100 block of Beachview Avenue.

Police said officers responded to the home around 6:30 p.m. following a dispute over a hit and run crash at Mission and Swift streets. According to police, the victim believed the other man was driving under the influence.

The suspect, 52 years old, came out and quickly went back inside when he saw the officers. When officers knocked on the door, the man started shooting, according to police. Officers learned the man owned a number of firearms and had recently been served an eviction notice.

The Santa Cruz Police Department responded with their BearCat rescue vehicle to get the hit and run victim to safety. After several hours of negotiations, with the suspect still barricaded inside the home, Emergency Services Unit Tactical team broke in and found the man’s body.